PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Henrik Lauson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ellit Zion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lauson
vs
Zion

185 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Henrik Lauson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ellit Zion!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zion tries to clinch up

and Lauson counters by moving into the clinch.
Zion has had enough of the clinch but Lauson keeps him there for the moment.

Lauson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Lauson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zion to his feet.
Lauson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zion misses with a head kick.

Zion gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lauson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Zion utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lauson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zion has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Lauson has passed into side control.
Lauson takes a little break here. Zion wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Lauson decides to stand back up.
Lauson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zion tries to clinch up

and Lauson counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zion is looking to break free of the clinch but Lauson has double underhooks.

Lauson manages to break the clinch.

Lauson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zion to the ground. Lauson is now in Zion's guard.
Lauson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lauson stands and throws Zion's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zion tries to control but Lauson manages to take his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lauson missing with strikes from the back.

Lauson looking for the RNC.
Lauson throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zion looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Lauson controlling from the back.
Zion tries to escape but Lauson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Zion is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Lauson gets his way!

Zion defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Lauson's arms.
Zion is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauson has good solid back control here.

Lauson is persistently looking for the submission but Zion is defending it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zion preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Lauson.

Lauson looking for the choke but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zion tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henrik Lauson 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.

Lauson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zion defends well and Lauson ends up having to push Zion into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Lauson.

Lauson manages to pull guard.
Lauson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Lauson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zion trying to control the position from guard on top but Lauson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lauson has control of Zion's left arm, preventing Zion from doing any damage.
Lauson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henrik Lauson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lauson trying to control the position.
Lauson keeping moving, preventing Zion from controlling successfully.

Henrik Lauson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Lauson swats away the attempt to clinch by Zion.

Lauson clinches.

Lauson jumps guard.
Lauson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lauson stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Lauson moves into full mount! Zion won't be happy about that!
Lauson throwing strikes here but Zion is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Lauson misses with a head shot.
Lauson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauson throwing strikes here but Zion is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Lauson throwing strikes here but Zion is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Zion is wriggling around trying to escape.

Lauson wants to finish this one by submission but Zion is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Lauson.
Lauson unloads with some shots from mount but Zion bucks and avoids them well.

Lauson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauson controlling his opponent.
Zion can't escape the position.
Lauson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lauson controlling the pace for now.

Lauson is working for a guillotine from mount but Zion frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henrik Lauson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zion pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Zion gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lauson passes Zion's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lauson passes to full mount!
Lauson looking to finish with strikes here!
Zion holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Lauson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauson thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Zion really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lauson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zion is desperately trying to improve his position but Lauson has a good base and remains in mount.
Lauson unloads with some shots from mount but Zion bucks and avoids them well.

Lauson is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Lauson misses with the combination.
Zion throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lauson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Lauson pulls guard effortlessly.
Lauson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lauson has his foot on Zion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zion works his way back into a safe position though.

Lauson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Lauson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Lauson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Zion clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zion trying to control the hands but Lauson won't let him.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Zion wants to control his opponent's hands but Lauson gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zion is keeping busy.

Lauson working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Zion avoids the strikes from Lauson.

Lauson working for a choke but Zion is defending well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zion wants to escape the position.

Lauson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zion knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zion for a finish.
Lauson tries to keep control of the position but Zion is staying busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lauson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Ellit Zion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henrik Lauson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Henrik Lauson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lauson 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

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