PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shannon Hood (ranked 3827 p4p, 3303 weight class) and Liam LaFonsetta (ranked 469 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hood
vs
LaFonsetta

202 cm
20
205
1 - 1 - 1

195 cm
25
220
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Shannon Hood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam LaFonsetta!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Topper Green and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hood avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hood misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
LaFonsetta wants to counter the offense by Hood and move into the clinch position.

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

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hood manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Hood drops down looking for an ankle pick but LaFonsetta pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hood shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts LaFonsetta as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shannon Hood. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hood gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows LaFonsetta to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hood really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
LaFonsetta trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
LaFonsetta wants to control from the top but Hood keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFonsetta is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
LaFonsetta scoring with punches to the head and body.
LaFonsetta lands a couple of elbows.
LaFonsetta is looking to work some ground and pound but Hood has wrist control.

LaFonsetta stands up from Hood's guard - LaFonsetta perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hood is breathing heavily.
Hood circles away from the clinch attempt.
LaFonsetta lands a nice shot to the body.

LaFonsetta has managed to clinch.
Hood is trying to break the clinch but LaFonsetta has him pressed against the cage.
LaFonsetta is working for takedown but Hood is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hood is looking to break free of the clinch but LaFonsetta has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaFonsetta wants a takedown but no success here.
LaFonsetta can't break the clinch.
LaFonsetta drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LaFonsetta has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hood is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
LaFonsetta wants to get back to striking at distance but Hood won't allow it.

Hood gets control of LaFonsetta's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hood will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
LaFonsetta throws an elbow that misses. Hood uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in LaFonsetta's guard. Nice move by Hood!

LaFonsetta wants to sweep but no luck.
LaFonsetta striking from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LaFonsetta manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

LaFonsetta is trying to trip Hood. He has hold of a leg but Hood is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. LaFonsetta persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
LaFonsetta is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
LaFonsetta is working Hood over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
LaFonsetta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
LaFonsetta stands and throws Hood's legs to the side, diving into side control.
LaFonsetta creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Check out the look on LaFonsetta's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
LaFonsetta tries to advance to mount but Hood denies him.
LaFonsetta working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LaFonsetta cracks Hood with a big right hand but Hood just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
LaFonsetta grinds an elbow into Hood's temple.
LaFonsetta sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hood is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hood is working to avoid the ground and pound but LaFonsetta connects with a decent elbow.
LaFonsetta controls the position from side control.
LaFonsetta looks up at the clock and then as Hood takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, LaFonsetta smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
LaFonsetta lands an elbow.
Hood is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hood seems a little lost for a moment, as LaFonsetta dominates the positioning.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liam LaFonsetta dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jab, jab by LaFonsetta - just one landing.
LaFonsetta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hood tries to avoid it but LaFonsetta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hood to the ground. Hood escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
LaFonsetta cracks Hood with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hood avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hood moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nice uppercut lands for LaFonsetta. That snapped Hood's head back.
LaFonsetta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
LaFonsetta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hood tries to clinch there but LaFonsetta circles away.
LaFonsetta fails in his attempt to clinch.

LaFonsetta closes the distance and clinches.
LaFonsetta tries for a takedown but Hood manages to get underhooks.
LaFonsetta fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Shannon Hood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam LaFonsetta.
LaFonsetta is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hood gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
LaFonsetta tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hood just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFonsetta has Hood pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hood manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hood is pressed up against the cage. LaFonsetta has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hood down to the mat. Hood avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
LaFonsetta tries to clinch but Hood moves out of range.
Hood tries to counter with a takedown but LaFonsetta is quick to defend against it.

LaFonsetta closes the distance and clinches.
LaFonsetta fails to pull the fight into his guard.
LaFonsetta is looking for a takedown.
LaFonsetta is breathing heavily.
LaFonsetta misses with an elbow strike.
Hood can't find room to land a body shot as LaFonsetta controls the action.

LaFonsetta successfully pulls guard.

Hood drops back, looking for a kneebar! LaFonsetta looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. LaFonsetta looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from LaFonsetta!

LaFonsetta throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Liam LaFonsetta has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hood takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
LaFonsetta throws an elbow but Hood slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hood is not content to let LaFonsetta control the position.
LaFonsetta scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFonsetta connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hood some visible discomfort.
LaFonsetta is putting a hurting on Hood here, landing some big shots from side control.
LaFonsetta grinds an elbow into Hood's temple.
Hood is working to avoid the ground and pound but LaFonsetta connects with a decent elbow.
Hood defending against the ground and pound.
LaFonsetta in side control lands a decent elbow.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
LaFonsetta working the body and head with strikes.
LaFonsetta is working Hood over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hood takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
LaFonsetta connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hood some visible discomfort.
LaFonsetta landing a few strikes.

Hood is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hood taking punishment in the form of punches.
Oh Hood is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
We've been informed that LaFonsetta has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
LaFonsetta lands a strong strike to the head of Hood. That's dazed him! LaFonsetta looking to finish here. Hood is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - LaFonsetta lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Liam LaFonsetta!