PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Freek Laaier (ranked 4094 p4p, 4167 weight class) and Kaden Craig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Laaier
vs
Craig

177 cm
23
163
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
165
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Freek Laaier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kaden Craig!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laaier darts in looking for a takedown but Craig gets double underhooks and turns Laaier into the cage.

Laaier manages to break the clinch.
Laaier jabs Craig to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Laaier looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Laaier avoids the head kick by Craig.
Laaier seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Craig.
A head kick misses from Craig.
Laaier looks for a takedown but Craig sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Laaier.
Craig appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freek Laaier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Craig misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Laaier or perhaps it was just good defense by Craig, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laaier scoring well with a low kick there.
Craig misses with a body kick.
Craig is trying hard to land a takedown here. Laaier sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Laaier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Craig.
Laaier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Craig tries to clinch up but Laaier circles away and keeps his distance.
Craig shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Craig shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Laaier as he avoids it easily.
Craig circles away from the clinch attempt.
Craig misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craig throws a push kick but Laaier slaps the foot to one side.
Laaier goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Craig fails with the takedown.
Craig looks winded!
Laaier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Craig swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laaier shoots in looking for a takedown but Craig manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Laaier's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Craig is looking for the big counter here.

Craig clinches up against the cage.
Craig wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Laaier successfully pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laaier 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.
Laaier on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Laaier tries to get out of the position.
Laaier trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laaier is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Craig is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Craig stopping the sweep attempt from Laaier.
Craig looking to pass the guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Craig controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Laaier gets tackled into the cage by Craig. Craig maintains the clinch.
Craig is trying to break the clinch but Laaier has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Laaier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Craig tries to clinch up.
Craig circles away from the clinch attempt.

Laaier instigates a clinch.
Laaier is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Craig to keep the fight standing.
Laaier lands a nice elbow.
Craig wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Laaier tries for a takedown. No joy.

Laaier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Craig.
A punch combination from Laaier misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Laaier is trying hard to land a takedown here. Craig sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Craig tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Laaier paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Craig goes for a double leg but Laaier avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Laaier continues to drive forward.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Craig throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Laaier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Laaier shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Craig sprawls well. Craig wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Laaier gets slowly back to his feet.
Craig is really turning it up, unleashing another crisp combination which drops Laaier like a ton of bricks! The referee dives in to stop the fight, saving Laaier from another fist facial!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kaden Craig!