PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elyas Pical (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kota Punga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pical comes to the cage accompanied by Florida feat Nelly Furtado- Jump. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Pical
vs
Punga

180 cm
21
164 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

169 cm
24
161 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Elyas Pical!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kota Punga!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pical rushes Punga and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pical landing knees to the body.
Pical gets underhooks to prevent Punga's takedown attempt.
Pical content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Punga stalling the fight.
Pical lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Pical breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pical throws a nice inside leg kick.
A combination from Punga does no damage.
A combination from Punga does no damage.
Punga tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pical swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Punga takes one to the side of the head.

Pical drives through and clinches with Punga against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pical pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Punga tries to land a front kick but Pical steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pical moves in looking to clinch but Punga pushes him off.
Pical lands with an overhand left.

Pical gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pical leaning against his opponent.
Pical landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Punga looks gassed!

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Punga throws a head kick but Pical moves out of range.

Pical fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Punga, pushing him back against the cage.
Pical putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Punga in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Punga is trying to pull guard but Pical has him pressed against the cage.
Punga is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Pical manages to break the clinch.

Punga tries to keep at a distance but Pical has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pical breaks from the clinch.
Pical throws a series of punches but Punga avoids them all with ease.
Punga pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pical back to the cage. Punga follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
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!

Pical moves into range and clinches up with Punga.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pical pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Punga takes a swing at Pical's ribcage but misses.
Punga throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pical lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Punga backs up against the cage.

Pical moves into the clinch successfully.
Punga jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pical walks away with a smile on his face. Punga gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Elyas Pical has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kota Punga.
Both fighters circling a little - Pical finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Pical throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Elyas Pical is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pical closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Pical clinches with his opponent.
Punga is looking for a takedown.

Pical breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pical scores with a one two! Punga had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Punga is rocked!

Pical closes the distance and clinches.
Punga is still on wobbly legs! Can Pical finish him?

Pical escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Punga seems to have recovered his senses.

Punga gets tackled into the cage by Pical. Pical maintains the clinch.

Pical breaks the clinch.
Punga throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pical gets a clinch.
Pical slowing the pace effectively.
Knees in the clinch landing for Pical.

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pical connects with a nasty looking knee right to Punga's face.

Pical breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Pical clinches with his opponent.

Pical breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Elyas Pical seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pical rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Punga moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Pical rushes Punga and presses him up against the cage.
Pical crunches a lovely knee into Punga's ribcage.

Pical breaks the clinch.

Pical closes the distance and pushes Punga back into the cage.
Punga wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pical tries to clinch but Punga is having none of it.

Pical darts in and clinches Punga up against the cage.
Punga fails to pull guard.

Pical breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pical connects with a high kick.
Punga misses with a kick to the body.

Pical instigates a clinch.
Punga takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pical pushes Punga back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Pical breaks from the clinch.
Pical swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pical tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Punga paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pical moves out of range as Punga throws a body kick.
Pical slips a jab and a cross from Punga.

Punga moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elyas Pical dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Punga tries to land a front kick but Pical steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Pical closes the distance and pushes Punga back into the cage.

Punga manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Punga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pical is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Punga can do to turn this around?
Punga trying to keep a closed guard but Pical is proving a slippery customer.
Pical wanted to stand there but Punga had control of the position.

Punga working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pical doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pical manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pical decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Punga, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Punga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pical manages to avoid it.
Punga is breathing heavily.
Pical tries to bum rush Punga with a series of wild strikes but Punga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Elyas Pical is winning the standup battle so far.

Pical moves into range and clinches up with Punga.
Punga is looking for a takedown.

Pical breaks from the clinch.

Pical moves into the clinch.
Pical putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Punga in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Pical.
Pical gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Pical.
Pical lands a knee to the body.

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pical looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pical fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pical moves into the clinch successfully.
Pical dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Punga is working for takedown but Pical is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pical landing knees to the body.
Pical connects with a knee to the head.
Pical keeps control of Punga as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pical is pressed up against the cage. Punga has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pical down to the mat. Pical avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Elyas Pical has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kota Punga.
Punga has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Pical finds it's way round the side to connect with Punga's head.

Pical gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Pical pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pical moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Punga on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pical. Pical obviously looking to wear him down.
A solid body kick from Pical.
Punga has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pical throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Punga on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Pical has managed to clinch.
Punga is looking to take this one to the mat.
Pical has Punga pressed against the cage.
Pical landing knees to the head.
Punga is trying to break free.
Punga is trying to pull guard but Pical turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Pical breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pical is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Punga fails to land with a series of punches.
Pical lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Punga circles away quickly and effectively.
Pical lands with a kick to the temple. Punga shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Punga misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pical tries to close the distance and clinch up but Punga swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pical tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Punga fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Pical moves into the clinch.

Pical manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pical swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Punga.

Pical closes the distance and clinches.

Pical breaks the clinch.
Punga rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pical moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Punga tries to close the distance and clinch but Pical swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pical displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Punga.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pical.
A left and a right from Pical both land. Nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elyas Pical dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pical feints a jab promting Punga to slip. Pical then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Punga slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Pical jabs Punga right on the nose. Punga blinks but takes it well.
Pical tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Punga manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pical's jab looks to have found its range, popping Punga under the eye.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pical looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pical tries to close the distance and clinch but Punga swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Punga misses with a few strikes there.
Pical lands a jab-cross combination.
Pical tries to clinch up.

Pical forces Punga back against the cage and clinches.
Punga tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pical just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pical working Punga over with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pical slows down the pace here.
Elyas Pical has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Pical with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pical pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Pical moves into range and clinches up with Punga.
Pical is pressed up against the cage. Punga has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pical down to the mat. Pical avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pical.
A cross from Pical lands.
Elyas Pical is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pical fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Punga has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Punga tries to keep at a distance but Pical has taken the fight into the clinch.
Punga tries to pull guard but Pical won't allow it.
Elyas Pical has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kota Punga.

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Punga has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Punga misses with a hook. Pical ducked under it nicely.
Punga just misses with a punch to the body.

Pical forces Punga back against the cage and clinches.
Punga takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pical tries to clinch up but Punga circles away and keeps his distance.

Pical clinches up against the cage.

Pical breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pical wants to clinch.
Pical plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Punga fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pical avoids it really well and circles away.

Pical gets a clinch.

Pical escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Punga misses with a body kick.
Punga looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Pical moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pical takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Pical lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Pical's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pical tries to clinch there but Punga circles away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Pical!
Punga takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Pical tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Punga paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Punga throws a series of punches but Pical avoids them all with ease.
Punga lunges at Pical with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Pical's hand.

Pical pushes Punga up against the cage in a clinch.
Punga wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pical has him pressed against the cage.

Pical escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pical throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Punga.
Punga throws a leg kick but Pical sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pical connects with a leg kick. Punga looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Punga thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pical avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Punga takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pical scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Punga lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Pical tries to close the distance and clinch but Punga swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pical is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Pical lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Punga circles away quickly and effectively.

Punga gets the takedown into side control.
Punga creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Punga tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Punga thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elyas Pical showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pical, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for Elyas Pical!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Elyas Pical!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Elyas Pical!

Elyas Pical wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Elyas Pical, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.