PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gen Tenryu (ranked 1030 p4p, 534 weight class) and Ray Luciano (ranked 153 p4p, 70 weight class). Luciano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by SHORT PEOPLE. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tenryu
vs
Luciano

182 cm
26
189
13 - 9 - 0

187 cm
27
187
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

HELLBENT

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 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gen Tenryu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ray Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Tenryu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tenryu is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Luciano.
Luciano scores with a three punch combo!
Luciano moves away from the strike by Tenryu.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tenryu moves away.
Luciano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Luciano on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice jab there from Luciano.
Tenryu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Luciano throws a quick inside leg kick.
Luciano misses with an uppercut.
Luciano scoring well with a low kick there.
Tenryu checks the leg kick.
Tenryu seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Tenryu ducks down to avoid it.

Luciano closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenryu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Luciano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Luciano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tenryu looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.
Luciano is looking to land body kicks.
Tenryu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tenryu moves away.
Tenryu seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tenryu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
Luciano shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Luciano misses with a body shot.
Tenryu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Tenryu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tenryu tries to close the distance and clinch but Luciano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Luciano! But no joy.
Luciano moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tenryu tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Luciano manages to circle out of the way.
Luciano with the inside leg kick.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Tenryu.
Luciano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luciano lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tenryu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
Tenryu is looking to wear down Luciano with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Luciano throws a leg kick but Tenryu moved away.
Tenryu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
Luciano throws a leg kick that misses.
Luciano lands a jab to the nose.
Tenryu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu slips a straight right by Luciano.
Gen Tenryu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tenryu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Luciano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Luciano as Tenryu tries to tie him up.
Luciano struggles to land a body shot inside as Tenryu controls his hands.
Tenryu stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Luciano breaks the clinch.
Luciano misses with a leg kick
and Tenryu counters with a right hand to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tenryu misses with the head strike.
Luciano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Luciano lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tenryu backwards.
Tenryu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Luciano backwards.
Luciano lands a right hand.
Tenryu prevents a body shot from Luciano.
Luciano lands a hook that snaps the head of Tenryu backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu blocks an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano throws a punch but it's blocked by Tenryu.
Tenryu is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A body shot lands from Tenryu.
A left hand lands to the body for Luciano.
Luciano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Luciano pulls Tenryu into guard.

Luciano had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tenryu defends it easily.

Luciano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tenryu is looking to advance position but Luciano has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Tenryu tries to hold on but Luciano postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tenryu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.
It seemed like Luciano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tenryu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luciano.
Tenryu is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Luciano.

Luciano gets tackled into the cage by Tenryu. Tenryu maintains the clinch.
Luciano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Luciano can't find room to land a body shot as Tenryu controls the action.
Luciano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tenryu.
Luciano lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tenryu backwards.
Luciano lands a body shot.
Luciano looking for a takedown.
Luciano jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tenryu walks away with a smile on his face. Luciano gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tenryu looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.
Luciano throws out a counter right but Tenryu avoids it with no problem.
Luciano throws a front kick aimed at Tenryu's knee but Tenryu avoids it well.
Tenryu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
Tenryu gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenryu throws a body shot but no joy.
Luciano misses with a low kick.
Tenryu lands a jab to the nose.
Tenryu throws a body shot but no joy.
Luciano changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Luciano throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Luciano throws a body punch but Tenryu moves out of range.
Tenryu ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Tenryu wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Luciano throws a right and a left that Tenryu avoids nicely.
Luciano bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tenryu's head.
Tenryu staying out of range there.
Luciano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luciano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Luciano does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tenryu is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Luciano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Tenryu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tenryu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ray Luciano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luciano throws a poor cross that misses

and Tenryu counters by clinching up.
Luciano blocking some punches.
A frustrated look appears on Luciano's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short uppercut from Luciano.
Luciano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tenryu has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tenryu tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Tenryu tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Tenryu prevents a body shot from Luciano.

Luciano manages to break the clinch.
Luciano just misses with a punch to the body.
Tenryu seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tenryu swings for the body but Luciano moves out of range.

Luciano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Luciano blocks an uppercut.
Tenryu tries to work over Luciano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luciano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tenryu.
Tenryu tries to stall but Luciano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short left from Tenryu.

Luciano has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tenryu uses from the top position.

Tenryu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luciano has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tenryu has managed to get both his arms back between Luciano's legs - danger averted.

Luciano working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tenryu has passed into half guard!

Tenryu decides to stand and escape the position.
Tenryu misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Luciano lands with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Luciano coming out on top.
Luciano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Luciano pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As Luciano tries to get set, Tenryu tries to push him back and clinch up but Luciano manages to avoid the attempt.
Luciano scores with a kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano swings for the body but Tenryu moves out of range.
Luciano scores with a jab to the body.
Tenryu scores with a jab.
Luciano misses the jab.
Luciano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tenryu was well out of range. Poor timing from Luciano.
Tenryu wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Tenryu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Luciano. That's going to slow Tenryu down.
Luciano misses with an uppercut. Tenryu saw that one coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Luciano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tenryu throws a big shot that misses.
Luciano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tenryu tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Luciano manages to circle out of the way.
Tenryu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tenryu misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Luciano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tenryu wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tenryu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luciano.
Luciano takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tenryu looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.
Tenryu slips a jab from Luciano.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tenryu throws out the jab.
It seemed like Luciano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tenryu checks the leg kick nicely there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Luciano.
Tenryu swings for the body but Luciano moves out of range.
Tenryu slips under a jab.
Tenryu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Luciano! But no joy.
Tenryu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tenryu misses with a shot to the body
and Luciano counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gen Tenryu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luciano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Luciano lands a glancing blow to the side of Tenryu's head.
Luciano lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Tenryu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tenryu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luciano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tenryu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
A jab lands there for Luciano.
Tenryu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
Tenryu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Luciano.
Tenryu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
Tenryu tries to counter by clinching up but Luciano breaks away and moves out of range.
Tenryu misses with a body shot
and Luciano counters with a left to the body.
Luciano connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice sprawl there from Tenryu as Luciano shoots in.
Luciano looks to land a left hand but Tenryu moved out of range nicely.
Tenryu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Luciano thumps Tenryu with a low kick.
Tenryu avoids a kick to the body.
Tenryu lands with a shot to the body.
Ray Luciano is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tenryu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Luciano tries a low kick but Tenryu avoids it.
Luciano misses with a leg kick

and Tenryu counters by clinching up.
Tenryu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tenryu tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Tenryu is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Luciano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tenryu or not.
Luciano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Luciano can't find room to land a body shot as Tenryu controls the action.
Ray Luciano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tenryu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Luciano can't find room to land a body shot as Tenryu controls the action.
A nice left hand lands by Luciano.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tenryu tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Luciano gets through Tenryu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Luciano jumps guard but Tenryu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tenryu tries to stall but Luciano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tenryu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Luciano or not.
Tenryu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tenryu can't find room to land a body shot as Luciano controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Luciano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Luciano has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Luciano!
An out of breath Ray Luciano thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.