PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Laoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Gaskins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Laoka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Bell Tolls. Donald Gaskins has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Laoka
vs
Gaskins

188 cm
31
186 lbs
17 - 7 - 3

185 cm
25
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Perkele!

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 17 - 7 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Katsu Laoka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Donald Gaskins!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaskins tries for a takedown but Laoka circles away easily
and Laoka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gaskins shoots in for a takedown but Laoka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Laoka throws a nice outside leg kick.
Laoka looks to land a right hand but Gaskins moved out of range.
Gaskins changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Laoka tries to clinch up but Gaskins circles away and keeps his distance.
And Gaskins tries to counter it with a takedown but Laoka pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A solid leg kick lands there for Laoka.
Laoka keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gaskins has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Katsu Laoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Gaskins.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laoka thuds a left hand into Gaskins's body.
Laoka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaskins uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gaskins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laoka changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gaskins misses with a takedown attempt - Laoka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Laoka feinted with a counter takedown.
An inside leg kick from Laoka misses.
And Gaskins tries to counter it with a takedown but Laoka pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Laoka lands with a shot to the body.
Laoka has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LOD: Strike Zone KT in the buildup to the fight.

Gaskins closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Laoka sneaks out the side door and pushes Gaskins away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab, jab by Laoka - just one landing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Laoka.
Laoka throws a shot from downtown. Gaskins moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaskins throws the left hand but Laoka avoids the punch easily.
A slow jab from Gaskins misses its intended target.
Laoka tries to counter with a takedown but Gaskins is quick to defend against it.
Laoka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gaskins counters with a nice uppercut.
Laoka lands with a cross.
Laoka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gaskins staying out of range there.
Laoka tries a head kick but it misses.
Gaskins shoots and misses
and Laoka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Laoka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gaskins misses with a takedown attempt - Laoka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Laoka appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laoka throws a hook to the side of Gaskins's head but Gaskins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gaskins with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Laoka to score with a decent uppercut.

Gaskins closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gaskins swings around for an armbar but Laoka sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gaskins's guard.

Gaskins had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Laoka defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gaskins looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Laoka has picked Gaskins up and slammed him! Gaskins can't keep hold of the triangle and Laoka manages to pass to side control!

Laoka has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Gaskins shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laoka throws a sloppy head kick and Gaskins moves out of range easily.
Gaskins is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Laoka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gaskins throws a hook but Laoka blocks it.
Katsu Laoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gaskins shoots in for a takedown but Laoka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gaskins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gaskins staying out of range there.
Laoka connects with a solid leg kick.
Gaskins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A telegraphed right hand from Laoka misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Laoka 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.

Gaskins misses with a left hand

and Laoka decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gaskins's guard.

Gaskins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Laoka defends well.

Gaskins is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Laoka got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gaskins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Laoka has managed to get both his arms back between Gaskins's legs - danger averted.
Gaskins wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gaskins throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Laoka escapes and throws Gaskins's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gaskins can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaskins tries to buck Laoka off but Laoka is having none of it.

Laoka decides to stand back up.
Gaskins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laoka.
Laoka moves out of range as Gaskins strikes.
Laoka connects with a solid leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Laoka.
Laoka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gaskins was well out of range. Poor timing from Laoka.
Gaskins uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laoka.
Laoka shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Laoka drives through and clinches with Gaskins against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaskins tries to score a body lock takedown but Laoka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Laoka connects with a knee to the head.
Gaskins blocks a body shot from Laoka.
Laoka working aggressively here.
Gaskins is trying to pull guard but Laoka has him pressed against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Laoka.
Laoka lands a nice knee to the body.
Gaskins is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laoka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gaskins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Laoka after a bit of a struggle.
Katsu Laoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Gaskins.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gaskins is trying to drag Laoka to the mat but Laoka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laoka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Laoka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gaskins's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Laoka gets underhooks to prevent Gaskins's takedown attempt.
Laoka misses with a punch on the inside.
Laoka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Laoka content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gaskins is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Laoka is stalling here.
Laoka misses with some punches.
Laoka scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaskins blocks an uppercut.
Laoka dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Laoka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gaskins can do to turn this around?
A head punch on the inside from Laoka fails to land.
A short right from Laoka.
A short right from Laoka.
Laoka lands a nice knee to the body.
Laoka just leaning against Gaskins, taking a breather.
Laoka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laoka scores with a shot to the side of Gaskins's head.
Gaskins being controlled against the cage.
Laoka landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Laoka dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Laoka throws a lazy right hand but Gaskins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Laoka rushes Gaskins and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gaskins lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gaskins blocks an uppercut.
Gaskins has Laoka pushed against the cage.
The referee calls for Laoka to work.
Laoka leaning his opponent against the cage.
Laoka seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaskins is trying to pull guard but Laoka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Laoka has Gaskins pushed against the cage.
Laoka misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaskins dodges an elbow strike from Laoka.
Come on Laoka - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Laoka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Laoka as the two fighters clinch.
Gaskins blocks a body shot from Laoka.
Laoka has Gaskins pushed against the cage.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but Gaskins blocks with his arms.
A short right from Laoka on the inside.
Katsu Laoka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Laoka scores with a knee to the head.
Laoka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Donald Gaskins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gaskins backwards.
Gaskins can't get the takedown.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Good body shot from Laoka.
Laoka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gaskins backwards.
Gaskins is trying to pull guard but Laoka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Katsu Laoka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Gaskins.
Laoka lands a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Laoka.
Gaskins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Laoka connects with a knee to the head.
Laoka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gaskins tries to pull guard but Laoka won't allow it.
Laoka lands a damaging elbow.
Laoka scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Laoka takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Laoka.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Laoka.
Laoka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Gaskins is rocked!
Laoka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but Gaskins blocks with his arms.
Laoka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laoka tries to work over Gaskins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Laoka gets underhooks to prevent Gaskins's takedown attempt.
Laoka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Laoka misses with a knee to the head.
Laoka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaskins lands an uppercut.
Gaskins is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Laoka to keep the fight standing.
Laoka stalling.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Laoka.
Laoka lands a knee to the body.
Laoka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laoka connects with a knee to the head.
Katsu Laoka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laoka lands a shoulder strike.
Laoka lands a knee to the head.
Laoka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gaskins is still on wobbly legs! Can Laoka finish him?
Laoka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gaskins seems to have recovered his senses.
Gaskins swings wildly with an uppercut but Laoka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laoka blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Laoka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Laoka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:25
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Laoka!
Katsu Laoka bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.