PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henri Lafitte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Devil You Know kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that John Swanson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Lafitte
vs
Swanson

193 cm
21
213 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Henri Lafitte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lafitte thows a left - swing and a miss!
Swanson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lafitte has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Swanson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

It looks like John Swanson has been cut.
A low kick from Lafitte misses

and Swanson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lafitte is pulling down on Swanson's head to control his posture.
Swanson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lafitte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Swanson throws a big elbow that misses.
Swanson working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lafitte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson chips away with some ground and pound.
Swanson wants to control from the top but Lafitte keeps moving.
Swanson is in close to Lafitte's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
Swanson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Swanson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lafitte working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Swanson.
Swanson is stalling in the full guard.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Swanson throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Swanson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lafitte on his heels. He'll look to pass Lafitte's guard now, I'm sure.
Swanson throws a big elbow that misses.
Swanson trying to control but Lafitte is working from the bottom.
Swanson controlling from the top position.
Swanson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lafitte utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Swanson working some strikes from top position.
Lafitte preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Swanson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Swanson stands up over Lafitte, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Swanson connects with a couple of short punches.
Swanson trying to control but Lafitte is working from the bottom.
Swanson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Swanson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Swanson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
Lafitte preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Swanson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lafitte preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Swanson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Swanson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lafitte misses with a low kick.
Lafitte throws a head kick but Swanson moves out of range.
Lafitte motions for Swanson to come forward. Lafitte throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Swanson moves in looking to clinch but Lafitte pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Swanson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Swanson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lafitte lands with a good body shot.
Lafitte sizes up Swanson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice straight punches there by Lafitte. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lafitte.
Lafitte throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Swanson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lafitte scores with a punch to the head.

Swanson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lafitte's guard.
Swanson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Swanson wants to control from the top but Lafitte keeps moving.
Swanson throwing strikes from guard but Lafitte blocks nicely.
Swanson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Swanson throws an elbow that misses. Lafitte uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Swanson's guard. Nice move by Lafitte!
Swanson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lafitte throws a hook but Swanson blocks it.
Lafitte misses with an uppercut.
Swanson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lafitte.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Swanson.
Lafitte connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Swanson shoots in and bounces Lafitte off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Swanson throws a strike but Lafitte rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Swanson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Swanson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lafitte is controlling him.
Lafitte content to stall in guard here.
Swanson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Swanson working Lafitte over with strikes.
Lafitte is refusing to be controlled, as Swanson sits in half guard.
Lafitte regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Swanson.
Swanson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Swanson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson trying to control but Lafitte is working from the bottom.
Swanson lands a couple of digs.
Lafitte working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Swanson.
Swanson stands and throws Lafitte's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Swanson controls the position.
Swanson looks up at the clock and then as Lafitte takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Swanson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Swanson fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Swanson trying to control the action but Lafitte is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Swanson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Swanson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A leg kick checked by Swanson.
A good leg kick by Lafitte.
Swanson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Swanson has his takedown stuffed
and Lafitte counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lafitte lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Lafitte closes the distance and clinches.
Lafitte gets underhooks to prevent Swanson's takedown attempt.
Lafitte doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Swanson looking for a takedown.
Henri Lafitte has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Swanson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lafitte.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lafitte after a bit of a struggle.
Lafitte stops a takedown attempt from Swanson.

Swanson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Lafitte can't fight it off and eventually Swanson manages to take the fight to the floor. Lafitte looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Swanson postures up in Lafitte's guard and throws a big left but Lafitte blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lafitte working a defensive guard here.
Lafitte wants to sweep but no luck.
Swanson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Swanson postures up in Lafitte's guard and throws a big left but Lafitte blocks it.
Swanson throws an elbow that misses. Lafitte uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Swanson's guard. Nice move by Lafitte!
Lafitte prevents Swanson from getting back to his feet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lafitte would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Swanson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lafitte.
Swanson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Swanson moves out of range as Lafitte throws a body kick.
Lafitte shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Swanson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lafitte defends it well.
Swanson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lafitte's sensitive parts.
Swanson blocks a leg kick.
Swanson with the counter takedown but Lafitte avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Swanson.
Swanson scores with a nice right hand.
Lafitte is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Lafitte misses the target.
Swanson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Swanson throws a low kick but Lafitte moves out of range easily.
Lafitte tries to land a leg kick but Swanson saw it coming and moves away.
Swanson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lafitte.
Lafitte on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lafitte scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lafitte rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Swanson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lafitte tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lafitte fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lafitte throws a lazy uppercut

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Swanson thows a huge punch but Lafitte dodges it nicely.
Swanson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Swanson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lafitte knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lafitte blocking the ground and pound attempt from Swanson.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Henri Lafitte has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lafitte taking some punishment here, with Swanson in his half guard.
Swanson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lafitte's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson thows a huge punch but Lafitte dodges it nicely.
Swanson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lafitte is trying to get back to full guard.
Swanson working over Lafitte with some ground and pound. Lafitte looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lafitte avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Swanson.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Swanson lands with a punch from half guard.
Swanson lands strikes from half guard.
Lafitte blocking the ground and pound attempt from Swanson.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Swanson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Swanson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Swanson!
John Swanson took some time post fight to say the following; 'Thank you to GBK16 for helping me out to fill up the card'.