PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Lakanik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Stratton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Stratton 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!

Lakanik
vs
Stratton

191 cm
38
195 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

188 cm
33
201 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Lakanik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eric Stratton!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stratton on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lakanik. Lakanik obviously looking to wear him down.
Lakanik needs to keep his hands up - Stratton had a free shot at his head there.
Stratton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lakanik looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Stratton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Stratton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lakanik keeps working.
Lakanik pushes Stratton away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Stratton gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Stratton looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Stratton trying to control the position but Lakanik is working away.
Lakanik is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stratton controlling the position.
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!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eric Stratton has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Stratton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lakanik avoids it really well and circles away.

Stratton looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stratton content to control rather than advance.
Stratton's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Lakanik is looking for a sweep. Stratton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stratton performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Eric Stratton was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lakanik tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stratton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Lakanik gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lakanik wants to sweep here but Stratton controlling him for the moment.
Lakanik on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lakanik tries to get out of the position.
Stratton controlling from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Stratton is fighting to break Lakanik's control of his arms but Lakanik is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

We're going to have a standup here because John Lakanik wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stratton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lakanik as he jumps to the side.
Lakanik drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lakanik throws a right hand that Stratton ducks under and follows up with a left that Stratton also avoids with ease.
Lakanik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Stratton shoots in and gets a takedown into Lakanik's guard.
Lakanik pulls Stratton in close to prevent any damage.
Stratton preventing the sweep.
Stratton trying to control but Lakanik is working from the bottom.
Stratton sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stratton won't allow Lakanik to sweep him here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lakanik.
Lakanik fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stratton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lakanik lands a head kick!

Stratton gets tackled into the cage by Lakanik. Lakanik maintains the clinch.
Lakanik wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee is keeping an eye on Stratton - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Stratton working hard to break the clinch.
Stratton is looking for a takedown.
John Lakanik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Stratton.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lakanik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lakanik wants to clinch.
Lakanik throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Stratton dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stratton misses with a wild combination.
Stratton throws a right hand that Lakanik ducks under and follows up with a left that Lakanik also avoids with ease.

Stratton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lakanik looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lakanik tries to bench press Stratton off him but Stratton keeps the position.
Lakanik is not content to let Stratton control the position.
Stratton happy to just control the position for now.
Lakanik tries to bench press Stratton off him but Stratton keeps the position.
Stratton trying to control the action but Lakanik is working from the bottom.
Lakanik is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Lakanik's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stratton tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Stratton is looking to take a break and control but Lakanik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Lakanik can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stratton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lakanik throws the kick towards the body but Stratton avoids it.
Lakanik throws a head kick but Stratton moves out of range.
Lakanik stuffs the takedown attempt from Stratton. Stratton gets slowly back to his feet.
Stratton throws a shot from downtown. Lakanik moves away and avoids it.
Stratton throws a jab but it's blocked by Lakanik.
Lakanik keeps Stratton at a distance using the push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lakanik.
Stratton is breathing heavily.
Stratton misses with a hook. Lakanik ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Stratton misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lakanik shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stratton as he jumps to the side.
Stratton digs a good body shot into Lakanik's ribs.
Horrible takedown by Stratton or perhaps it was just good defense by Lakanik which made him look bad.
John Lakanik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Stratton.
Stratton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lakanik dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stratton. That did some damage!
Eric Stratton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stratton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lakanik tries to avoid it but Stratton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lakanik to the ground. Lakanik escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lakanik keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lakanik throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stratton's head.
Lakanik scores with a spinning back kick!
Lakanik lands with a slapping head kick.
Lakanik fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lakanik rushes Stratton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lakanik as Stratton tries to tie him up.

Lakanik breaks the clinch.
Stratton blocks a head kick by Lakanik.
Lakanik tries to close the distance and clinch but Stratton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stratton wants to clinch.
Lakanik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lakanik is looking to clinch but Stratton is avoiding it.
A punch combination from Stratton misses.
Lakanik looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stratton is fending him off so far but Lakanik persists. Nope, Stratton circles away and we're back to standing.
Stratton misses with a body shot.
Lakanik lands a nice looking body shot.
Stratton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lakanik throws a head kick that misses.
Stratton avoids the head kick by Lakanik.
John Lakanik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Lakanik.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lakanik throws a sloppy head kick and Stratton moves out of range easily.
Nice defenses there by Lakanik.
Stratton dodges the punch combination from Lakanik.
Lakanik pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Stratton dives in and scores a takedown into Lakanik's guard.
Lakanik is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stratton sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stratton wants to control from the top but Lakanik keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stratton is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lakanik dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stratton misses with an uppercut
and Lakanik counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
John Lakanik is winning the standup battle so far.
Lakanik misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stratton takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Stratton goes for a double leg but Lakanik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lakanik continues to drive forward.
Lakanik is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stratton pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Lakanik is trying to break the clinch but Stratton has him pressed against the cage.
Lakanik unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Our sources have told us that Lakanik has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Lakanik is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Lakanik is pressed up against the cage. Stratton has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lakanik down to the mat. Lakanik avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
John Lakanik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Stratton.
Stratton takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lakanik plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice shot by Lakanik.
Both fighters circling a little - Lakanik finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Lakanik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lakanik is looking to land body kicks.
Lakanik throws a good cross that connects.
Stratton misses with a wild body shot.
Stratton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stratton fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lakanik pushes Stratton away with a front kick.

Lakanik fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stratton, pushing him back against the cage.
Stratton is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Lakanik turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Lakanik manages to end up in side control.
Lakanik cracks Stratton with a big right hand but Stratton just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Lakanik cracks Stratton with a big elbow.
Lakanik sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Stratton is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Lakanik throws an elbow but Stratton slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Stratton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lakanik is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stratton knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lakanik working the head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik is putting a hurting on Stratton here, landing some big shots from side control.
Lakanik tries to score with some ground and pound. Stratton controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Lakanik working the ground and pound from side control.
Lakanik in side control lands a decent elbow.
Stratton is looking to reverse the position.
Stratton wants to control but Lakanik postures up.
Lakanik tries to advance to mount but can't.
Eric Stratton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stratton being controlled for a moment.
Stratton avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lakanik.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stratton is trying to control Lakanik's posture but Lakanik avoids it.
Stratton is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Lakanik is staying active.
Lakanik grinds an elbow into Stratton's temple.
Stratton struggling a bit here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lakanik advances to full mount.
Lakanik looking to control but Stratton is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Lakanik swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Stratton is now in Lakanik's guard. A big mistake from Lakanik there, giving up the dominant position!
Lakanik can't keep his opponent in guard - Stratton advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lakanik is looking to control Stratton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lakanik avoid being mounted?
Lakanik is trying to stand.
Lakanik is looking for a sweep. Stratton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Lakanik looking for submissions off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stratton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lakanik keeps working.
Stratton not doing much here.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lakanik showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lakanik 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lakanik!
John Lakanik spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.