PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Derek Trucks (ranked 1295 p4p, 1022 weight class) and Donnie Larkin (ranked 177 p4p, 142 weight class). Donnie Larkin has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Trucks
vs
Larkin

183 cm
34
196
22 - 13 - 1

181 cm
30
188
11 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 22 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Derek Trucks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donnie Larkin!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Trucks lands a head kick that stumbles Larkin and the fighters go to the mat.

It looks like Donnie Larkin has been cut.
Larkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Trucks tries to stand but Larkin is controlling from the bottom.
Larkin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Larkin looking for a sweep. Not yet Larkin, not yet.
Trucks trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Trucks is looking to stand up but Larkin won't let him.
Larkin is trying to keep Trucks in close.
Trucks trying to control the position from guard on top but Larkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Trucks looks for the body kick but Larkin saw that one coming.
Larkin blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks drops his hands momentarily and Larkin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown but Trucks shows good takedown defense.
Trucks looks to throw the jab but Larkin is out of range.
Trucks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Larkin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Trucks.
An attempted straight right counter from Trucks misses the target.
Trucks throws a front kick that sends Larkin stumbling back into the cage.
Larkin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Trucks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Trucks takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Derek Trucks has been cut.
A cross from Larkin lands.

Larkin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Larkin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Trucks is trying to control Larkin's posture but Larkin avoids it.
Trucks tries to buck Larkin off but Larkin is having none of it.
Larkin wants to control but Trucks is keeping him busy.
Larkin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is trying to control Larkin's posture but Larkin avoids it.
Larkin is putting a hurting on Trucks here, landing some big shots from side control.
Trucks seems a little lost for a moment, as Larkin dominates the positioning.
Trucks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Trucks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Larkin pulls his head out easily.

Trucks looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Larkin wants to free his trapped foot but Trucks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Larkin tries to stand but can't do so whilst Trucks controls his leg.
Larkin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin prevents Trucks from standing back up.
Trucks is staying active underneath Larkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Trucks trying to control from the bottom.

Larkin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larkin controlling the action here.

Trucks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Larkin pulls his head out easily.

Trucks actively working from the bottom here.
Trucks trying to control but Larkin postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Trucks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Trucks actively working from the bottom here.

Trucks actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larkin tries to pass to full mount but Trucks defends it.
Larkin is keen to just control but Trucks is a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Trucks throws a body shot but no joy.
Trucks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab lands there for Trucks.
A shot to the liver by Trucks. Beautiful body shot.
Trucks throws a wild body kick that Larkin sees coming a mile off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Derek Trucks will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Trucks lands an overhand right.
Larkin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Trucks is looking to counter punch.
A lazy left from Trucks finds it's target.

Larkin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Trucks makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Larkin blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Larkin shoots in and gets a takedown into Trucks's guard.

Trucks has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Larkin has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Trucks tries to throw a body punch but Larkin avoids it by throwing Trucks back against the cage.
Larkin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Trucks avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Trucks presses Larkin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Trucks tries to work over Larkin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Trucks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Larkin.
A swing and a miss from Trucks.
Larkin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Trucks.
Trucks attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Trucks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Larkin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Larkin! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks lands a nice shot that snaps Larkin's head back.
Trucks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Larkin can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed right hand from Trucks misses the target.
Larkin throws a good cross that connects.
Larkin lands with a kick to the temple. Trucks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Trucks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Trucks lands a head kick that stumbles Larkin and the fighters go to the mat.

Larkin is rocked!

That has opened up Donnie Larkin's cut even more.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larkin wants to sweep here but Trucks controlling him for the moment.
Larkin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Trucks manages to get himself to full guard.

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

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

Trucks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Larkin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Trucks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larkin defends it easily.
Trucks has momentary wrist control but Larkin slips an elbow through the middle.
Trucks has a closed guard, preventing Larkin from standing up.

Trucks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Larkin passes into side control.
Trucks struggling a bit here.
Trucks takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is looking for a sweep.

Larkin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Trucks has escaped the position, nice work there.
Trucks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Trucks seems a little lost for a moment, as Larkin dominates the positioning.

Larkin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Trucks to his feet.
Larkin throws a head kick that Trucks semi-blocks.
Larkin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Trucks avoids it really well and circles away.

Larkin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Trucks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Larkin wants to pass the guard but Trucks is keeping the position.

Trucks throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Larkin escapes and throws Trucks's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Larkin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Trucks's legs.
Trucks tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Larkin presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Trucks bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Derek Trucks will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Larkin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Larkin lands in his opponent's guard.
Larkin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

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

Trucks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Larkin is aware though and is defending well.
Donnie Larkin has got the better of the ground game so far.

Trucks working for a triangle but Larkin defends it easily.

Larkin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Trucks has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Larkin has managed to get both his arms back between Trucks's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trucks is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Trucks throws his legs up looking for a submission but Larkin uses it to pass to side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Trucks is not content to let Larkin control the position.
Larkin advances to full mount.
Trucks regains half guard.

Larkin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Trucks actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larkin moves into full mount! Trucks won't be happy about that!
Larkin controlling from mount.
Trucks is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Larkin controlling his opponent.
Trucks in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Trucks is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Larkin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Trucks is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin avoids the attempt from Trucks to control.
Larkin trying to control but Trucks is having none of it.
Trucks tries to lock up and control but Larkin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Larkin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Trucks is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Larkin stands up from mount. Strange move.
Derek Trucks is winning the standup battle so far.
Trucks throws a front kick that sends Larkin stumbling back into the cage.

Larkin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Larkin drops an elbow to the side of Trucks's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin trying to control the pace.
Larkin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Donnie Larkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Trucks is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Larkin lands a nice short elbow.
Larkin working Trucks over with strikes.

Trucks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trucks trying to control here.

Larkin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Trucks sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donnie Larkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Trucks 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Trucks!
After winning the bout, Derek Trucks thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.