PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bin Laden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and General Taft (ranked 0 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.

Laden
vs
Taft

179 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
182 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bin Laden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, General Taft!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Taft, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
General Taft seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Laden feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Laden won't allow Taft to sweep him here.
Taft is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Laden controls from within his opponent's guard.
Laden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taft keeping moving, preventing Laden from controlling successfully.
Taft can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Laden controls the pace.
Laden preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taft tries to close the distance and clinch up but Laden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laden showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taft.
Laden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taft shoots and misses

so Laden counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Laden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taft wants to sweep here but Laden controlling him for the moment.
Laden slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laden looking to pass the guard.
Laden not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Laden trying to control the position from guard on top but Taft is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taft, right into the meat.

Laden shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Taft napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Taft can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taft has one of Laden's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Taft seems a little lost for a moment, as Laden dominates the positioning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taft is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Laden has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Laden tries to advance to mount but Taft denies him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Laden is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Taft's shoulder. That is not cool.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laden is breathing heavily.
Taft regains half guard.
Laden performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Taft tries to get to full guard but Laden has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bin Laden dominated that round.
That's time! Laden's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taft shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Laden counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Laden is looking to advance position but Taft won't allow it.
Taft is looking for a sweep. Laden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Laden seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taft does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Laden looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Taft is pressing down on Laden's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Taft tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taft wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Laden manages to pass to side control.
Taft wants to control but Laden passes into side.
Taft is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laden controlling the position from side mount.
Laden is looking to take a break and control but Taft is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Bin Laden just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Laden gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laden tries to move into full mount but can't pass Taft's legs.
Taft is not content to let Laden control the position.
Laden is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Taft is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Taft stops Laden from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taft tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Laden tries to move to mount but Taft blocks the move with his legs.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Taft throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Taft looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taft tries to clinch up

and Laden counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laden is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Laden sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Taft's guard.
Laden uses his free foot to push down on Taft's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Taft.
Laden unloads with some shots from mount but Taft bucks and avoids them well.
Laden controlling from the full mount.
Taft regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bin Laden dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Laden misses with a takedown attempt - Taft sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taft tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Laden counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Taft is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Taft tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taft is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Laden is controlling him.
Taft working a defensive guard here.
Laden trying to control the position from guard on top but Taft is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taft takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taft bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laden's guard.
Taft with a nice head shot there.
Laden keeping full guard, as Taft tries to pass.
Taft trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taft trying to control but Laden is working from the bottom.

Laden uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taft scores with a kick to the body.
Taft wants to clinch
and Laden counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taft doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Laden counters with a shoot takedown. Taft fights it but they end up in guard.
Laden works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Taft is trying to control but can't.
Taft won't allow Laden to pass to mount.
Laden works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Taft prevents Laden from improving position.
Laden works to advance to full mount. Taft defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Taft tries to hold on but Laden postures up.
Laden prevents Taft from getting the reversal.
General Taft has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Laden looking to control and managing it successfully.
Laden breaks from Taft's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Laden is stalling here but it's allowed Taft to get half guard.
Laden trying to pass the guard but Taft defending well.
Taft trying to control from the bottom.
Taft tries to roll over but Laden keeps him under control.
Bin Laden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laden wants to free his trapped foot but Taft is holding on for dear life with his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bin Laden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Laden, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bin Laden!