PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leopold Dechamps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marti Pico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Dechamps
vs
Pico

171 cm
27
166 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

173 cm
27
145 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leopold Dechamps!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marti Pico!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pico throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dechamps tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pico is in Dechamps's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dechamps keeping full guard, as Pico tries to pass.
Pico passes Dechamps's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Dechamps is pressing down on Pico's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Dechamps wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Pico is now in half guard.
Dechamps won't allow Pico to pass to mount.
Dechamps is looking for a sweep. Pico is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pico is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dechamps wants to control but Pico is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pico passes into side control, despite Dechamps's attempt to control the position.
Pico advances nicely into full mount.

Pico is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Dechamps can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Dechamps regains half guard.
Dechamps is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dechamps is trying to get back to full guard.
Pico wants to pass the guard but Dechamps is defending well.

Pico is looking for a kimura here.
Dechamps wants to control but Pico passes into side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dechamps is looking for a sweep.

Pico is trying to get an arm triangle but Dechamps is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pico is trying to get an arm triangle but Dechamps is defending well.
Dechamps trying his best to control but Pico has mounted him.
Pico prevents Dechamps from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pico is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Dechamps has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Dechamps!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dechamps's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dechamps trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Pico is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dechamps is aware though and is defending well.
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!
Dechamps throws an elbow that misses. Pico uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dechamps's guard. Nice move by Pico!
Dechamps is trying to keep Pico in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pico thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marti Pico will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dechamps shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pico but Pico pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Pico changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dechamps looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pico advances nicely into full mount.

Pico has hold of Dechamps's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Dechamps manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Pico avoids the attempt from Dechamps to control.

Pico is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Dechamps to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Dechamps shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pico is working for a guillotine from mount but Dechamps frees his head quite easily.

Pico goes for an armbar but Dechamps turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Dechamps.
Dechamps lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dechamps throws an elbow that misses. Pico uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dechamps's guard. Nice move by Pico!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dechamps not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pico tries to free his leg and advance position but Dechamps is retaining full guard.
Dechamps is trying to keep Pico in close.
Marti Pico has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dechamps tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pico wants to pass the guard but Dechamps is keeping the position.
Pico postures up.

Leopold Dechamps has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Pico throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dechamps's waist but Dechamps gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pico off to one side.
Horrible takedown by Pico or perhaps it was just good defense by Dechamps which made him look bad.
Dechamps shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pico pinned against the cage. Pico gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dechamps throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dechamps throws a shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Pico. No joy for Dechamps on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leopold Dechamps. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pico leaves Dechamps with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pico shoots in but Dechamps avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice sprawl there from Pico as Dechamps shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Marti Pico will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dechamps fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pico manages to avoid it.
Dechamps fails with the takedown

and Pico counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dechamps looking to control.
Pico advances to half guard.

Pico is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dechamps sees it coming and defends easily.
Dechamps is looking for a sweep. Pico is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pico passes the guard and advances to mount!
Dechamps is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Pico with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Dechamps regains half guard.
Dechamps trying to hold on to Pico's head to control him but Pico postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pico is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dechamps is just riding it out for now. Pico eventually gives up the hold.
Dechamps is trying to control but can't.

Pico is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dechamps is trying to maintain the position but Pico is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dechamps is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Pico is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Dechamps works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dechamps throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Dechamps is trying to control the position but Pico postures up.
Pico wants to pass the guard but Dechamps is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pico drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pico jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dechamps is trying to keep Pico in close.

Pico drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pico jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pico stands and throws Dechamps's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Leopold Dechamps has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marti Pico is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dechamps is trying to work for a sweep but Pico has mounted him!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marti Pico comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pico winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marti Pico!
Marti Pico spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.