PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Reilly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Antonio Laureana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Reilly might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Danko Jones - Do You Wanna Rock. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Reilly
vs
Antonio Laureana

181 cm
22
177 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Reilly!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francisco Antonio Laureana!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reilly throws a series of strikes that have Laureana backpedaling.

It looks like Francisco Antonio Laureana has been cut.
Reilly throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nice jab there from Reilly.
Laureana keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Reilly. No joy for Laureana on that attempt.
Reilly tries to counter by clinching up but Laureana breaks away and moves out of range.
Reilly ducks under a wild hook from Laureana.
Reilly blocks a jab.
As Laureana tries to get set, Reilly tries to push him back and clinch up but Laureana manages to avoid the attempt.
Reilly 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.
Laureana lands a lovely overhand right.
Horrible takedown attempt by Laureana or perhaps it was just good defense by Reilly, which made it look bad.
Reilly lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly lands with a hook. Laureana tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Laureana swings widly with a right hand
enabling Reilly to counter with a crisp jab.
Reilly throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Laureana's head.

Laureana shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Laureana tries to pass the half guard into mount. Reilly knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Reilly wants to improve his position but Laureana is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Laureana is looking for a kimura but Reilly is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Laureana to get the leverage.

Laureana is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Reilly doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Laureana.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reilly tries to roll over but Laureana keeps him under control.
Laureana wants to control but Reilly is keeping him busy.

Laureana looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Reilly trying to hold on to Laureana's head to control him but Laureana postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly is refusing to be controlled, as Laureana sits in half guard.
Laureana works his way into full mount!
Laureana can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Reilly is looking to escape.

Reilly defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Laureana.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Laureana goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Reilly is on top in guard.
Our spies down at at Zero Tolerance inform us that Laureana has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Laureana looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Reilly passes into side control.
Laureana can't do much from the bottom here.
Reilly takes a little break here. Laureana wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Laureana is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Reilly dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Laureana with a lazy takedown attempt

and Reilly holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Reilly effectively controlling the action here.
Reilly scores with a nice hook to the head.
Come on Reilly - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Reilly stalling.

Laureana is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Reilly can't fight it off and eventually Laureana manages to take the fight to the floor. Reilly looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Reilly is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laureana can do to turn this around?
Laureana tries to free his leg and advance position but Reilly is retaining full guard.
Francisco Antonio Laureana has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laureana thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Laureana is looking to advance position but Reilly has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly avoids the attempt from Laureana to control.
Reilly looking to control and managing it successfully.
Laureana manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Well, if Reilly is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Laureana works his way to full guard. Good work.
Laureana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Laureana looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Reilly has picked Laureana up and slammed him! Laureana can't keep hold of the triangle and Reilly manages to pass to side control!
Laureana gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Laureana regains full guard. Nicely done.
Laureana keeping moving, preventing Reilly from controlling successfully.
Laureana is trying to control the position but Reilly postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly preventing the sweep.
Reilly wants to control from the top but Laureana keeps moving.

Reilly got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laureana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Reilly has managed to get both his arms back between Laureana's legs - danger averted.
Laureana being controlled here, momentarily.
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Laureana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four 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.
Laureana misses with a takedown
and Reilly connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Laureana shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Reilly pinned against the cage. Reilly gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As Laureana tries to get set, Reilly tries to push him back and clinch up but Laureana manages to avoid the attempt.
Frank Reilly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Antonio Laureana.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Good shot there by Laureana.
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 Frank Reilly will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Laureana misses with a straight left.
Reilly lands with a cross.
Reilly ducks under a wild hook from Laureana.
Reilly throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Laureana's head.
Nice jab there from Reilly.
An inside leg kick lands from Reilly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reilly falls off balance throwing a combination
and Laureana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Laureana is trying hard to land a takedown here. Reilly sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Francisco Antonio Laureana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana misses with an uppercut.
Frank Reilly is winning the standup battle so far.
A cross from Laureana lands.
Laureana tries for a takedown but Reilly sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Reilly misses the shot to the body.

Laureana manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Reilly on his heels. He'll look to pass Reilly's guard now, I'm sure.

Laureana postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Reilly is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Laureana, into his guard.

Laureana throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Reilly escapes and throws Laureana's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana struggling a bit here.
Reilly tries to advance to mount but Laureana denies him.
A lull in the action here.
Laureana tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Reilly wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana keeps trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Laureana's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Laureana stops Reilly from passing to mount.
Laureana holding on.
Laureana wants to control but Reilly postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Reilly is looking to take a break and control but Laureana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Laureana is being controlled here.
Reilly tries to advance to mount but Laureana denies him.
Laureana is looking for a sweep.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reilly controlling the position from side mount.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Frank Reilly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Laureana fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Reilly avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Reilly clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laureana shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Reilly defends it nicely.
Reilly scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Reilly there.
Laureana fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laureana scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Laureana thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Reilly sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Laureana is trying to work for a kimura but Reilly is defending well.

Laureana is looking for a kimura here.
Laureana is looking to take a break and control but Reilly is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Reilly wants to get back to full guard but Laureana has mounted him!
Laureana wants to control the pace but Reilly is squirming around nicely.

Laureana goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Reilly turns into him and now he's in Laureana's guard.
Laureana controls Reilly momentarily but Reilly frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly stays in close to Laureana's body and controls the position.
Reilly stopping the sweep attempt from Laureana.
Reilly pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Laureana is keeping the position for now.
Laureana pulls Reilly in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Laureana is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Reilly is aware though and is defending well.
Laureana is pulling down on Reilly's head. It's preventing any offense from Reilly, at least for the moment.
Reilly is pushing down on Laureana's leg trying to pass to half guard. Laureana is fighting to maintain full guard but Reilly has managed to sneak the leg through.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laureana is trying to maintain the position but Reilly is very close to passing his half guard.

Laureana looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Reilly pushes past his half guard into mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Frank Reilly will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Laureana misses with a straight right.
Reilly looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Laureana doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Reilly to counter with a crisp jab.
Laureana might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Reilly throws a leg kick but Laureana sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Laureana misses with a takedown attempt
and Reilly counters with an inside leg kick.
Reilly throws a lazy right hand but Laureana sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana fails with a takedown attempt.
Reilly tries to counter by clinching up but Laureana breaks away and moves out of range.
Frank Reilly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Antonio Laureana.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick

and Laureana counters with a shoot takedown. Reilly fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly looking for a sweep. Not yet Reilly, not yet.
Reilly lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Laureana looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Laureana escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Reilly gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Reilly controlling from the top position.
Laureana wants to sweep here but Reilly controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Laureana working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reilly doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reilly manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Laureana wants to sweep here but Reilly controlling him for the moment.
Reilly showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Laureana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Reilly trying to control but Laureana is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Reilly's corner calls for a 1-2. Reilly obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Reilly gets caught napping as Laureana dives in and scores a takedown. Reilly manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laureana trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laureana might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Reilly haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Laureana wants to pass the guard but Reilly is keeping the position.
Reilly seems keen to control Laureana's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reilly keeping moving, preventing Laureana from controlling successfully.
Francisco Antonio Laureana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Laureana forces his way into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Francisco Antonio Laureana.
I think Reilly 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Reilly!
Frank Reilly retains his welterweight title!
Our winner, Frank Reilly, 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.