PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ken Essss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Laston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laston has chosen Survivor-Eye of the Tiger as his entrance music. John Laston has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Essss
vs
Laston

185 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

190 cm
21
194 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Essss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Laston!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Essss fails with an attempt to clinch.
Essss leaves Laston with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Laston shoots in and drives through. Essss sprawls well.
Essss defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Laston.
Ken Essss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Laston.
Laston keeps the fight on the outside.
Essss tries to bum rush Laston with a series of wild strikes but Laston uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Laston shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Laston seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laston wants to work for an arm triangle but Essss is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Laston controlling the action here.
Laston is thwarting Essss's attempts to control the position.
Laston passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laston content just to control the position here.
Essss knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laston on the ground.

Laston looking to secure an arm triangle but Essss defends it well.
Laston controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laston goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Essss turns into him and now he's in Laston's guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Laston working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Essss doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Essss manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Essss avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Essss being controlled here momentarily.
Essss trying to control but Laston is working from the bottom.

Essss got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laston has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Essss has managed to get both his arms back between Laston's legs - danger averted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Laston working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Essss doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Essss manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Laston dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Laston looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Laston gets the takedown into side control.
Laston trying to control the position but Essss is working away.

Laston wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Essss, who protects the arm well.
Laston taking a breather here.
Laston wants to control but Essss is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laston has hold of Essss's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Essss tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Laston cranks the arm and Essss screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Essss, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). John Laston!
Our winner, John Laston, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.