PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sameh Mahmoud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Antonio Laureana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francisco Antonio Laureana acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Mahmoud
vs
Antonio Laureana

180 cm
27
193 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

180 cm
27
195 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Bullet Proof System

Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sameh Mahmoud!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francisco Antonio Laureana!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahmoud lands a nice looking body shot.
Mahmoud misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Laureana counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mahmoud throws a hook to the side of Laureana's head but Laureana sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sameh Mahmoud seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laureana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mahmoud.
Laureana looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mahmoud throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mahmoud misses with a two punch combination.
It seemed like Laureana was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mahmoud tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laureana was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahmoud.
Laureana drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mahmoud defends it well.
We've been told by Mahmoud's head coaches at Little Lebowski Urban Achievers that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Laureana shoots in for a takedown but Mahmoud shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mahmoud feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahmoud scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mahmoud throws a leg kick

so Laureana counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Laureana drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mahmoud manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Laureana has Mahmoud in his guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana keeping full guard, as Mahmoud tries to pass.
Laureana 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.

Laureana looking for a guillotine here but Mahmoud defends easily.

Mahmoud got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laureana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mahmoud has managed to get both his arms back between Laureana's legs - danger averted.

Laureana escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mahmoud gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Laureana had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mahmoud defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Laureana had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mahmoud defends it easily.
Laureana keeping moving, preventing Mahmoud from controlling successfully.

Laureana has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mahmoud is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Laureana.
Laureana tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahmoud wants to control but Laureana is keeping him busy.
Laureana is looking for a sweep.
Laureana felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Laureana is not content to let Mahmoud control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahmoud content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Laureana manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Laureana is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mahmoud sees it coming and defends easily.

Laureana seems to be looking for submissions.

Mahmoud is defending against the submission attempts here by Laureana.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Laureana is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Mahmoud as he works his way to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Francisco Antonio Laureana will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mahmoud misses the shot to the body.
Laureana bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Mahmoud rushes Laureana and presses him up against the cage.
Laureana has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mahmoud is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Laureana ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Laureana no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mahmoud has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Laureana is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mahmoud is aware though and is defending well.
Laureana looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mahmoud's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laureana looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahmoud tries to free his leg and advance position but Laureana is retaining full guard.

Laureana throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mahmoud escapes and throws Laureana's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Laureana is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Laureana is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Laureana is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Laureana tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Mahmoud has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Laureana tries to reverse the position but Mahmoud maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Laureana has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Mahmoud escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Mahmoud!
Laureana is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mahmoud's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Laureana is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mahmoud's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mahmoud's back!

Laureana is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Mahmoud has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Laureana looking for the choke from the back.

Laureana looking for the RNC.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Laureana is persistently looking for the submission but Mahmoud is defending it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Laureana has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laureana working for the choke.
Well, with Laureana on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Mahmoud is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Mahmoud rolls, trying to escape but Laureana keeps control of the position.
Mahmoud turns into Laureana and is now in his guard.

Laureana looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Mahmoud has picked Laureana up and slammed him! Laureana can't keep hold of the triangle and Mahmoud manages to pass to side control!
Laureana tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mahmoud wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laureana manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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.

Laureana is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mahmoud is just riding it out for now. Laureana eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Antonio Laureana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mahmoud throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Laureana sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Laureana feints the counter takedown.
Laureana fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mahmoud buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Laureana keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laureana tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Laureana misses with a takedown attempt
and Mahmoud counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahmoud lands an overhand right.
Laureana takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mahmoud tries to clinch up.
A lazy left from Laureana finds it's target.
Mahmoud wants to clinch up but Laureana keeps it at a distance.
Laureana on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Laureana swings widly with a right hand
and Mahmoud counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sameh Mahmoud is winning the standup battle so far.
Mahmoud tries to clinch but Laureana moves out of range.
Mahmoud rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Laureana to counter with a crisp jab.
Laureana shoots in and drives through. Mahmoud sprawls well.
Sameh Mahmoud has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Antonio Laureana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana slips under a jab from Mahmoud.
Laureana goes for a double leg but Mahmoud avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mahmoud continues to drive forward.
Mahmoud jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Laureana keeps the fight on the outside.
Laureana tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sameh Mahmoud is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mahmoud tries to work over Laureana's front leg with a kick but Laureana checks it.
Laureana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mahmoud scores with a nice right hand.

Mahmoud clinches up with Laureana and pushes him back against the cage.
Laureana has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mahmoud is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Laureana blocks a body shot from Mahmoud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana lands a shoulder strike.
Mahmoud lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mahmoud digs a right hand underneath Laureana's ribcage. Laureana let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Laureana takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice left hand lands by Mahmoud.
Mahmoud misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mahmoud unloads a knee to the mid-section. Laureana lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mahmoud utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mahmoud scores with a shoulder strike.
A short left from Mahmoud.
Mahmoud scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Mahmoud drops Laureana onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Laureana is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

Laureana is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahmoud dips a shoulder and cracks Laureana with a mighty uppercut! Laureana falls back against the cage and Mahmoud unloads with a barrage of strikes! Laureana is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Mahmoud screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sameh Mahmoud!
Sameh Mahmoud retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Sameh Mahmoud thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.