PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dark Horse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucky Luciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Horse
vs
Luciano

190 cm
24
150 lbs
2 - 4 - 1

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Dark Horse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lucky Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Horse.

It looks like Lucky Luciano has been cut.
Luciano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Horse counters by clinching up.
Horse has Luciano pushed against the cage.
Luciano goes for a takedown in the clinch but Horse prevents it.
Luciano stalling in the clinch.
Horse throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lucianos head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Luciano as Horse tries to tie him up.
Luciano has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Horse avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Horse has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Luciano avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Luciano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Horse has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Horse blocks an uppercut.

Luciano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick from Horse lands but Luciano takes it in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horse throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice takedown defense from Luciano. No joy for Horse on that attempt.
Horse really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Horse checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Horse looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horse tries to clinch up but Luciano circles away and keeps his distance.
Luciano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Luciano wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dark Horse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luciano moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Luciano throws a head kick that misses.
Luciano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Horse counters with an outside leg kick.
Horse throws and low kick but Luciano moves out of range easily.
Horse connects with a crisp jab.
A combination from Luciano does no damage.
Horse lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Horse is breathing heavily.
Horse avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horse throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Luciano's waist but Luciano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Horse off to one side.

Luciano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Luciano slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Luciano is putting a hurting on Horse here, landing some big shots from side control.
Horse is pushing Luciano's head away, looking to escape. Luciano manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano advances to full mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Luciano working for a guillotine from mount but Horse is in no mood to give up.
Horse is trying to stand.
Horse flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Luciano looking to finish Horse with some ground and pound. This is bad for Horse!
Luciano working the ground and pound effectively.
Luciano is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Horse can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Luciano landing strikes, looking to finish!
Luciano lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
A nice elbow there by Luciano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Luciano connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Luciano prevents Horse from getting the reversal.
Luciano looking to control but Horse is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Horse manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Luciano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Luciano seems to be looking for submissions.
Horse is pressing down on Luciano's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Horse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Luciano.
Horse avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Luciano works over Horse with some ground and pound from guard.
Luciano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Horse thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Horse wants to stand but Luciano is controlling the position.
Luciano throwing strikes from guard but Horse blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Horse wants to clinch.
Horse misses with a takedown
and Luciano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luciano swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horse misses with a takedown
and Luciano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luciano misses with a double jab
and Horse counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dark Horse dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lucky Luciano's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Horse misses with a body kick.
Luciano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Horse counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Luciano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Luciano throws a body punch but Horse moves out of range.
Luciano circles away from the clinch attempt

and Luciano counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Horse!
You get the feeling that Horse really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Horse can't escape the position.
Luciano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Luciano putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Horse is trying to escape the mount.
Luciano postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Horse looks a forlorn figure.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horse in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Luciano lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horse in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Horse is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Luciano putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Horse wants to hold on but Luciano pushes him away.
Luciano landing shots from mount.
Luciano with a couple of short strikes.
Luciano lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Horse really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Luciano working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Horse wants to control but Luciano is having none of it.
Luciano working away from the top, dropping strikes.
You get the feeling that Horse really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Horse is looking to improve his position but Luciano isn't that keen on the idea.
Luciano looking to finish Horse with some ground and pound. This is bad for Horse!
Horse slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Luciano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Horse is trying to stand back up but Luciano is controlling him
Luciano is trying to control the action in half guard but Horse is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Luciano wants to advance to full mount but Horse doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Horse is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Horse trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Horse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Luciano is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Luciano looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Luciano stuffs the takedown.
Luciano throws a series of punches but Horse avoids them all with ease.
Horse tries to clinch but Luciano moves away

and Luciano counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Luciano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Horse is keeping the position for now.
Luciano chips away with some ground and pound.
Luciano is looking to work some ground and pound but Horse has wrist control.
Horse throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Luciano missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Luciano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Luciano connects with a couple of short punches.
Horse is looking to stand up but Luciano isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Horse tries to close the distance and clinch but Luciano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Horse ducks down to avoid it.
Horse fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Luciano throws a combination that misses
and Horse counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luciano takes a swing at Horse's ribcage but misses.
Luciano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Luciano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Horse counters with a one-two to the body.

That has opened up Lucky Luciano's cut even more.
A punch combination from Horse misses.
Luciano throws a combination that misses
and Horse counters with a straight right hand.
Horse wants to clinch.
Luciano cracks the inside of Horse's front leg.
Luciano circles away from the clinch attempt
and Luciano cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Horse fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucky Luciano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lucky Luciano's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Luciano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Horse counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Horse does a little dance to reset his feet.
Horse tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Horse throws a combination. Luciano tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A right-left combo lands from Horse.
Horse slips a straight right by Luciano.
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Horse tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Luciano counters with a series of strikes. Horse will be more careful next time no doubt.
Horse displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Luciano throws out the jab.
A leg kick checked by Horse.

Horse gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Luciano to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horse is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Luciano is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Horse's head.
Luciano trying to control but Horse is working from the bottom.

Horse has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Luciano off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Luciano throws a combination that misses
and Horse counters with a series of strikes. Luciano will be more careful next time no doubt.
Horse throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Luciano counters with a slapping leg kick.
Horse lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nice takedown defense from Luciano. No joy for Horse on that attempt.
Horse's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Horse duly obliges.
Luciano slips a jab and a cross from Horse.
Luciano throws a combination that misses
and Horse counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Luciano thinking.
Luciano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Luciano misses with a double jab

and Horse counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano keeps control of Horse as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Horse lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Luciano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Horse is defending well for now.

Horse escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice defenses there by Horse.
Dark Horse is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Luciano counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Luciano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Horse is keeping the position for now.
Luciano is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Luciano lands a couple of digs.
Luciano makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Luciano with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Luciano is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano won't allow Horse to sweep him here.
Luciano is looking to work some ground and pound but Horse has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Luciano on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Horse fails with the takedown

and Luciano counters with a single leg into guard. Horse didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dark Horse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horse wants to stand and escape but Luciano is having none of it.
Luciano is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Luciano is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Luciano postures up and lands a big shot to Horse's brow.
Horse is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Luciano postures up in Horse's guard and throws a big left but Horse blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Horse pushes Luciano off and gets back to his feet.
Horse is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Luciano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Luciano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Horse moves in looking to clinch but Luciano pushes him off.
Horse fails with an attempt to clinch.
A low kick from Luciano is predictable there
and Horse counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Horse moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Horse throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Luciano's head.
Luciano dodges the punch combination from Horse.
Luciano falls off balance throwing a combination
and Horse counters with a series of strikes. Luciano will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucky Luciano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Luciano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucky Luciano!