PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Archie Laird (ranked 1583 p4p, 3695 weight class) and Philip Driver (ranked 241 p4p, 495 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Laird
vs
Driver

180 cm
26
211
6 - 2 - 0

188 cm
26
211
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Archie Laird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Philip Driver!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Driver tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laird was well out of range. Poor timing from Driver.
Laird tries to counter with a takedown but Driver is quick to defend against it.
Laird misses with a leg kick
and Driver counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Laird moves into the clinch.

Driver escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Laird feints and as Driver raises his hands in defense, Laird changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laird loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Driver really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laird. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Laird with a flurry of punches that miss.
Laird is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Driver wants to get back to his feet but Laird is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driver wants to sweep but no luck.
Laird has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Laird throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laird is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laird trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laird trying to control the position from guard on top but Driver is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laird is working Driver over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Laird accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Laird throws a big right hand that misses.
Laird sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Laird is looking to work some ground and pound but Driver has wrist control.

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.
Laird slips nicely into half guard.
Laird thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Driver tries to get to full guard but Laird has control of the leg.
Driver blocking the ground and pound attempt from Laird.
Laird thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Laird trying to control the pace.
Ground and pound from Laird.
Driver is trying to stand up here but Laird is controlling him well.
Laird thows a huge punch but Driver dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laird performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Laird thows a huge punch but Driver dodges it nicely.
Driver is refusing to be controlled, as Laird sits in half guard.
Driver pushes Laird off looking to stand but Laird dives back in and keeps control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Laird moves into full mount! Driver won't be happy about that!
Laird in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Laird is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Driver can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laird thowing shots but they're missing.
Laird sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Laird with good strikes from the mount here!
A nice elbow there by Laird.
Laird thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Laird looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Laird fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Laird putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Laird controlling the position easily from mount.
Laird is in the full mount, landing strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Laird dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Laird closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Driver's guard.
Laird is looking to work some ground and pound but Driver has wrist control.
Driver being controlled here, momentarily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Laird accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Laird working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Laird trying to control the position from guard on top but Driver is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laird passes easily into side control. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driver pushes Laird away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Laird gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Laird advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laird is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Driver can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Laird tries to control but Driver wriggling away.
Driver is trying desperately to improve position.
Laird can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Driver is looking to escape.
Driver is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Laird controlling the position easily from mount.
Laird scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Driver?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driver really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Laird lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Laird controlling the pace for now.
Laird lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Laird trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Laird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Driver can do to turn this around?
Laird raining down shots from the mount!
Laird landing shots from mount.

Driver is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laird postures up and throws a massive shot that knocks Driver out cold! Two more strikes to his unconscious opponent for good luck and this one is all over! Laird goes absolutely crazy with his corner! Wow, you can see how much that win means to him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Archie Laird!
An out of breath Archie Laird thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.