PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asbel Launt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kroshevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kroshevic has chosen "Curl of the Burl" by Mastodon as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Launt
vs
Kroshevic

185 cm
25
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
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 St Petersburg, Asbel Launt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kroshevic!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Launt swings for the body but Kroshevic moves out of range.
Kroshevic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Launt misses the body punch
and Kroshevic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Launt throws a jab when Kroshevic was well out of range.

Launt throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kroshevic was covering up waiting for the punch and Launt finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Launt wants to control from the top but Kroshevic keeps moving.
Launt postures up.
Launt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Launt stopping the sweep attempt from Kroshevic.
Launt is looking to pass into half guard but Kroshevic pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kroshevic is in guard.
Launt wants to sweep here but Kroshevic controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Launt keeping moving, preventing Kroshevic from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kroshevic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kroshevic wants to pass the guard but Launt is keeping the position.
Kroshevic won't allow Launt to sweep him here.
Launt is adopting a defensive guard.
Kroshevic trying to control but Launt is working from the bottom.
Launt on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Launt tries to get out of the position.
Launt is looking to stand up but Kroshevic isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kroshevic is fighting to break Launt's control of his arms but Launt is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Asbel Launt.
Launt misses with a body shot.

Kroshevic feints and as Launt raises his hands in defense, Kroshevic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kroshevic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Launt pulls Kroshevic in close to prevent any damage.
Launt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kroshevic is one step ahead there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Launt bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kroshevic's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Launt works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kroshevic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kroshevic.
Launt makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Launt landing some decent shots from guard.
Launt connects with a couple of short punches.
Launt lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Launt is in close to Kroshevic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Launt has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kroshevic is proving hard to escape from.
Kroshevic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kroshevic keeping moving, preventing Launt from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Launt landing some decent shots from guard.
Kroshevic working a defensive guard here.
Launt is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kroshevic keeping moving, preventing Launt from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Asbel Launt wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Launt shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Launt was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Launt has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Launt drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asbel Launt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kroshevic has his takedown stuffed

and Launt counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kroshevic's guard now.
Launt landing some decent shots from guard.
Launt trying to control the position from guard on top but Kroshevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Launt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kroshevic keeping moving, preventing Launt from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Asbel Launt wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kroshevic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Launt as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroshevic misses with a takedown attempt - Launt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Asbel Launt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kroshevic.
Launt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kroshevic tries to clinch but Launt moves out of range.
Launt connects with a body shot that sends Kroshevic's belly button to the back.
Kroshevic tries for a takedown but Launt circles away easily

and Launt counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Launt keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Launt seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kroshevic for as long as he can get away with.
Launt tries to stand and escape but Kroshevic is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Launt trying to pass the guard but Kroshevic defending well.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Launt performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Asbel Launt just wasn't active enough.
Kroshevic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kroshevic misses the shot to the body.

Kroshevic shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kroshevic was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kroshevic wants to control but Launt is keeping him busy.
Launt regains half guard.
Kroshevic is breathing heavily.
Launt tries to get to full guard but Kroshevic has control of the leg.
Kroshevic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Launt knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Launt is positioning himself well to prevent Kroshevic advancing to mount.

Kroshevic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Launt is positioning himself well to prevent Kroshevic advancing to mount.
Launt works his way to full guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Launt lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kroshevic!
BOOM! Launt connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asbel Launt dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Launt looks to land a right hand but Kroshevic moved out of range.
Kroshevic shoots for a takedown but Launt saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kroshevic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Launt is fending him off so far but Kroshevic persists. Nope, Launt circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Launt. No joy for Kroshevic on that attempt.
Asbel Launt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kroshevic.
Kroshevic is looking to clinch but Launt is avoiding it.
Launt looks to score with a jab to the body but Kroshevic is just out of range.
Kroshevic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Launt counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Asbel Launt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Launt passes Kroshevic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kroshevic is refusing to be controlled, as Launt sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroshevic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Launt lands with a punch from half guard.
Kroshevic trying to control but Launt postures up.
Kroshevic tries to get to full guard but Launt has control of the leg.
Kroshevic keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Launt is pressing down on Kroshevic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kroshevic is holding on for now.
Launt trying to control from half guard but Kroshevic is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Launt gets the takedown into side control.
Launt is chipping away with strikes.
Launt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kroshevic keeps working.
Launt is chipping away with strikes.
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!
Launt in side control lands a decent elbow.
Launt scores with punches from side control.
Launt scoring with punches and elbows.
Kroshevic is looking for a sweep.
Launt scoring with punches from side control.
Launt is looking to take a break and control but Kroshevic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Launt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kroshevic can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Launt creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Launt happy to just control the position for now.
Kroshevic is not content to let Launt control the position.
Kroshevic takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Launt landing strikes.
Launt cracks Kroshevic with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Launt scores with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Launt is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kroshevic's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kroshevic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Check out the look on Launt's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kroshevic prevents Launt from improving position.
Launt is staying tight to Kroshevic's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Ivan Kroshevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Launt tries to move to mount but Kroshevic blocks the move with his legs.
Launt looks up at the clock and then as Kroshevic takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Launt smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Launt lands a decent elbow from side control.
Launt trying to control the position but Kroshevic is working away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Launt lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kroshevic down.

Kroshevic is rocked!
Launt in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Kroshevic looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Launt turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Asbel Launt!