PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Lauderdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lauderdale has chosen Phil Collins - Sussudio as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couture
vs
Lauderdale

187 cm
23
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
23
198 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Zenith Nutrition (160q)

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 Las Vegas, Randy Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Lauderdale!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lauderdale jumps guard but Couture stands there with Lauderdale around his waist. Lauderdale gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Couture changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lauderdale fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lauderdale blocks a head kick by Couture.
Lauderdale keeps the fight on the outside.
Couture scores with a punch to the head.
A left and a right from Lauderdale both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Randy Couture has been cut.
Lauderdale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lauderdale stalks Couture and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Couture's face. Couture staggers backwards, shaken.

Couture is rocked!
Lauderdale keeps the fight on the outside.
Oh Couture is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lauderdale throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lauderdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lauderdale shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Couture as he jumps to the side.

Couture looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lauderdale is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Couture dives into side control.
Couture seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Couture tries for a kimura but Lauderdale is defending well.
Lauderdale gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Couture thowing shots but they're missing.
Lauderdale wants to hold on but Couture pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauderdale is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Couture get's back to his feet.
Lauderdale lands a body shot.
Lauderdale takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lauderdale throws a series of strikes that have Couture backpedaling.
Couture swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Couture tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lauderdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Couture shoots in and bounces Lauderdale off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Lauderdale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Couture is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Couture chips away with some ground and pound.
Lauderdale has control of Couture's left arm, preventing Couture from doing any damage.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauderdale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Couture stands and throws Lauderdale's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Couture working away.
Lauderdale manages to work his way to half guard, despite Couture's best efforts.
Lauderdale keeping hold of Couture's head, controlling as best he can.
Couture looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Randy Couture will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Randy Couture's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Couture tries to clinch up.
Couture throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Couture stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lauderdale.
Lauderdale throws a right hand that Couture ducks under and follows up with a left that Couture also avoids with ease.
We've been informed that Lauderdale has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lauderdale tries to score a power double leg takedown but Couture sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lauderdale somewhat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lauderdale.

Couture bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lauderdale throws a low kick but Couture moves out of range easily.
Ricky Lauderdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couture misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauderdale keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lauderdale swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Couture.
Lauderdale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Couture tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lauderdale dives in and grabs Couture's left leg, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes down on Lauderdale's head and hops out.
Lauderdale throws a right and a left that both miss.
Randy Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lauderdale lands with a nice combination. Couture backs away looking to recover.
Lauderdale misses with a double jab.
Couture is looking to clinch but Lauderdale is avoiding it.
Despite the aggression on Lauderdale's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lauderdale throws a leg kick that misses.
Couture tries to counter by clinching up but Lauderdale breaks away and moves out of range.
Couture shoots in for a double leg but Lauderdale sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lauderdale is looking for the big counter here.
Lauderdale fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Randy Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Lauderdale.
Couture throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Despite the aggression on Lauderdale's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Couture.
Lauderdale fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Couture avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Couture manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lauderdale on his heels. He'll look to pass Lauderdale's guard now, I'm sure.
Couture looking to pass the guard.
Lauderdale wants to stand but Couture is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws a strike but Lauderdale rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Couture is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Couture throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Couture avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture looking for a sweep. Not yet Couture, not yet.
Couture not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lauderdale is fighting to break Couture's control of his arms but Couture is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Lauderdale preventing the sweep.
Couture thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauderdale misses with a takedown attempt - Couture sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lauderdale closes this distance looking for a takedown but Couture circles away.
Couture tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lauderdale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lauderdale unleashes a big counter combination but Couture bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Lauderdale fails with the takedown.
Couture cracks the inside of Lauderdale's front leg.
Lauderdale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Couture tries to clinch up.
Couture tries to clinch but Lauderdale moves away
and Lauderdale counters with a one-two to the body.
Lauderdale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Couture drives through and clinches with Lauderdale against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Randy Couture will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Randy Couture's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lauderdale fails to land with a series of punches.
Couture blocks the body kick.
Lauderdale lands a two punch combo.
Lauderdale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Couture went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lauderdale stuffs the takedown attempt from Couture. Couture gets slowly back to his feet.
Lauderdale lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Couture moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lauderdale attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Couture displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lauderdale.
Lauderdale takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Couture drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lauderdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Couture wants to get up but he can't break Lauderdale's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Couture tries to free his leg and advance position but Lauderdale is retaining full guard.
Lauderdale is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Couture's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Couture pushing down on Lauderdale's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Couture is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lauderdale is just riding it out for now. Couture eventually gives up the hold.
Couture trying to pass the guard but Lauderdale defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lauderdale is looking to get back to is feet but Couture passes into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Couture decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Lauderdale tries for a takedown but Couture sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Couture looks for a takedown but Lauderdale sprawls well.
Couture takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A head kick misses from Lauderdale.
As Lauderdale looks to move away, Couture throws a big counter combo but Lauderdale just gets out of the way.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lauderdale.
Randy Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Lauderdale.

Couture forces Lauderdale back against the cage and clinches.

Lauderdale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lauderdale shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Couture defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Couture fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lauderdale sprawls well initially but Couture persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Randy Couture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Couture decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Lauderdale will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Couture scores with a takedown into Lauderdale's guard.
Lauderdale is looking to stand back up but Couture counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Lauderdale.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lauderdale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Randy Couture.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Couture, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randy Couture!