PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Luciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phantom Menace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luciano comes into the arena with The Mechanic blaring out of the sound system. Menace has chosen Leroy Brown as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Luciano
vs
Menace

194 cm
27
191 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

190 cm
32
198 lbs
30 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Heavy handed

Syndicate Nutrition (DUS)
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charlie Luciano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Phantom Menace!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano takes a swing at Menace's ribcage but misses.
Luciano throws a leg kick but Menace sees it coming and moves out of range.
Menace throws a lazy right hand but Luciano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luciano cracks Menace with a good jab.
Luciano throws a head kick but Menace moves out of range.
Menace avoids the body shot from Luciano.
Menace with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Menace ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Luciano moves out of range of the leg kick from Menace.
Luciano swings for the body but Menace moves out of range.
Menace lands a nice looking body shot.
Menace just misses with a punch to the body.
Menace is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
Luciano takes a swing at Menace's ribcage but misses.
Luciano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luciano slips under a jab from Menace.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Menace lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Charlie Luciano has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Luciano moves into the clinch successfully.
Luciano lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Luciano lands a nice knee to the body.
Luciano lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Luciano is pressed up against the cage. Menace has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Luciano down to the mat. Luciano avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Luciano is looking to wear down Menace with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Luciano checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Luciano scores with a nice strike.
A nice inside leg kick there by Luciano. That's going to slow Menace down.
Luciano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menace swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Luciano.
Menace throws an off balance right hand
and Luciano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slow jab from Luciano misses its intended target.
A shot to the liver by Menace. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano lands with a slapping head kick.
Luciano tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Phantom Menace seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Menace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
Luciano lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Luciano.
Luciano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Menace.
Luciano misses with a lunging right hand
and Menace counters with a big head kick but Luciano shrugs it off.
Menace ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
A shot to the liver by Luciano. Beautiful body shot.
Menace misses with a hook to the body
and Luciano counters with a big head kick but Menace shrugs it off.
Menace displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Luciano throws out the jab.
Luciano misses with a hook
and Menace cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Menace just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice jab there from Luciano.
Luciano throws out a leg kick but Menace moves out of range and Luciano only half commits.
Luciano slaps away a takedown attempt from Menace, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Charlie Luciano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phantom Menace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Menace.
Luciano moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Luciano lands a slapping body shot.
Menace looks gassed!
Menace pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice body kick there by Luciano.
Luciano thumps Menace with a low kick.
Menace throws a leg kick
and Luciano counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Luciano has closed the distance and engaged Menace in a clinch.
Menace is looking to control Luciano's arms but Luciano gets an underhook and turns him. Now Menace has his back to the cage.
Luciano stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Luciano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Menace manages to break the clinch.
Luciano with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano scores with a nice right hand.
Menace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.

Menace gets tackled into the cage by Luciano. Luciano maintains the clinch.
Luciano blocks an uppercut.
Luciano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Menace.
Menace avoids a wild elbow strike from Luciano.
Luciano blocks a body shot from Menace.
Luciano gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Menace lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Luciano backwards.
Menace is trying to stall.
Luciano missing with knees to the body.
Menace managing to block the knees to the body from Luciano.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
With the fighters up against the cage, Luciano throws an elbow but misses.
Luciano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Luciano blocks a body shot from Menace.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Luciano.
Luciano lands a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Luciano dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Charlie Luciano's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Luciano fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Menace takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Luciano pivots, looking for a leg kick but Menace is out of range and Luciano settles back down.
Luciano lands a jab to the nose.
Luciano scores with a sloppy right hand. Menace should have avoided that one.
Menace just misses with a punch to the body.
Luciano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Menace.
Luciano connects with a leg kick. Menace looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Luciano slips a jab from Menace.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Menace.
The fight stays on the outside here - Luciano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Luciano keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Luciano works Menace's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Menace takes a kick to the side of the head.
A shot to the body from Menace misses
and Luciano counters with a straight right hand.
Menace lands a leg kick that knocks Luciano off balance momentarily.
A left lands for Luciano.
Menace throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Menace fails with a takedown attempt.
Menace is breathing heavily.
Menace misses with a leg kick.

Luciano rushes Menace and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Menace misses with some punches.
Menace avoids a wild elbow strike from Luciano.
Luciano is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Menace is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Menace has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Menace wants to stall.
Luciano lands a nice knee to the body.
Menace is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Charlie Luciano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phantom Menace.
Luciano leaning his opponent against the cage.
Menace struggles to land a body shot inside as Luciano controls his hands.
Luciano tries to stall but Menace uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Luciano.
Menace blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Menace tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Menace avoiding damage as Luciano throws knees to the body.
Luciano throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Menace tries to stall but Luciano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Menace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Luciano is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano tries to land knees in the clinch but Menace avoids the damage to the body.
Luciano lands an elbow just above Menace 's eye.
Luciano stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Menace on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Menace avoids the elbow strike from Luciano, against the cage.
Menace blocks the elbow strike.
Luciano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Menace is defending well for now.
Luciano tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Menace avoids it.
Luciano prevents a body shot from Menace.
A nice left hand lands by Menace.
Luciano misses with an elbow strike.
Menace wants to get back to striking at distance but Luciano won't allow it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Menace takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Luciano unloads a knee to the mid-section. Menace lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Luciano works on Menace's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luciano lands a good knee to the midsection. Menace won't want to take too many of those.
Luciano is trying to stall.
Menace is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Luciano is stalling here.
Luciano lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Menace misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luciano lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Luciano holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Luciano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Luciano working Menace over with knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Luciano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Menace is defending well for now.
Menace takes an elbow to the forehead.
Luciano lands an elbow that stopped Menace in his tracks for a moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Luciano dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Charlie Luciano's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Menace misses with a kick to the body.
A shot to the liver by Luciano. Beautiful body shot.
Menace takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Luciano takes a swing at Menace's ribcage but misses.
Luciano just misses with a punch to the body.
Menace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano misses with a hook
and Menace counters with a straight right hand.
Luciano lands with a thumping leg kick.
Luciano checks the leg kick nicely there.

Luciano moves into the clinch successfully.
Menace scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Menace.
Menace managing to block the knees to the body from Luciano.
Menace takes a knee to the side of the body.
Menace takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Luciano is pushing Menace up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Luciano tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Menace avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano tries to land knees in the clinch but Menace avoids the damage to the body.
Menace tries to work over Luciano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Luciano stalling in the clinch but Menace improves position.
Luciano crunches a lovely knee into Menace's ribcage.
Menace has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Menace misses with a punch to the body.
Menace dodges an elbow strike from Luciano.
Luciano lands a knee to the body.
Menace tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Luciano connects with a nasty looking knee right to Menace's face.
Luciano prevents a takedown attempt there.
Luciano stalls.
Nice elbow from Luciano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano lands a damaging elbow.
Luciano utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Menace tries for a takedown but Luciano manages to get underhooks.
Luciano controlling the action here for a moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Menace's defenses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Luciano misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menace.
Menace tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Menace swings wildly with an uppercut but Luciano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano pressing his opponent against the cage.
Luciano lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Phantom Menace has been cut.
Luciano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Menace can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menace misses with a punch on the inside.
Menace takes an elbow to the temple.
Luciano unloads a knee to the mid-section. Menace lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Luciano wants to stall.
Luciano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Menace is defending well for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Luciano throws an elbow but misses.

Menace breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Luciano connects with the punch.
Charlie Luciano is winning the standup battle so far.
Luciano lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Luciano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A big left from Menace misses.
A head kick misses from Luciano.
Menace misses with a few strikes there.
Menace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menace drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Menace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luciano cracks a nice hook into Menace's ribs.
Luciano tests Menace's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Luciano lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Luciano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Menace moves out of range as Luciano strikes.
Menace tries a head kick but it misses.
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Menace needs to keep his hands up - Luciano had a free shot at his head there.
Luciano throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Good standup being displayed there by Menace as he connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Luciano clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Menace tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Luciano thumps Menace with a low kick.
Luciano is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A low kick from Menace misses
and Luciano counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Menace thinking.
Menace swats away the attempt to clinch by Luciano.
Menace misses with a body shot.
Luciano just misses with a punch to the body.
Luciano lands with a thumping leg kick.
Menace on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Luciano slaps away a takedown attempt from Menace, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Menace is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Menace throws a leg kick but Luciano sees it coming and moves out of range.
Luciano feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Menace's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menace swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Luciano scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Menace's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Luciano.

Luciano instigates a clinch.
Luciano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Luciano tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Menace avoids it.
Nice elbow from Luciano.
Luciano gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Menace is trying to drag Luciano to the mat but Luciano just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Luciano is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Luciano throws a knee to the head but misses.

Menace wants the takedown. Luciano is fighting it off but Menace persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Luciano's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luciano wants to stand and escape but Menace is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Menace throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Luciano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Menace is looking to work some ground and pound but Luciano has wrist control.
Menace trying to control but Luciano is working from the bottom.
Menace works over Luciano with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano can't keep his opponent in guard - Menace advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Menace has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Luciano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Menace is working away from the top position though.

Menace is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Luciano sees it coming and defends easily.
Luciano is looking to control Menace's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Luciano avoid being mounted?
Menace throws a strike but Luciano avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Luciano is adopting a defensive guard.
Menace postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano wants to sweep here but Menace controlling him for the moment.
Luciano is working hard here to advance position.
Menace postures up.
Menace loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Charlie Luciano.
Luciano keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
Menace misses the body punch
and Luciano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Luciano tries a head kick but it misses.
Menace keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Menace uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Luciano had his way with Phantom Menace in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Luciano, right into the meat.
Luciano looks to clinch
and Menace counters with an outside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Menace misses the target.
Menace swings for the body but Luciano moves out of range.
Luciano attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A head kick from Menace lands but Luciano takes it in his stride.
Luciano connects with a solid leg kick.
Menace on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Luciano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Menace throws out the jab.
Luciano tries a head kick but it misses.
Luciano doesn't manage to clinch there - Menace circles away.
Menace lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Menace takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Menace finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Luciano there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jab, jab by Luciano - just one landing.
Luciano tries to clinch up but Menace circles away and keeps his distance.
Luciano lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Luciano misses the shot to the body.
Luciano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Menace throws a nice head kick!
Menace swats away the attempt to clinch by Luciano.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Menace does a little dance to reset his feet.
Menace has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Luciano lands a jab.
Menace fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menace tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Luciano was well out of range. Poor timing from Menace.
Luciano turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Menace swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menace misses the shot to the body.
Charlie Luciano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Menace scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Menace throws a low kick but it's checked well by Luciano.
Luciano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Menace.
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!
Luciano wants to clinch.
Luciano tries to score with a low kick but Menace moves his leg out of the way.
A head kick by Luciano misses
enabling Menace to counter with a crisp jab.
Phantom Menace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a body punch but Menace moves out of range.
Menace takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Menace looks to throw the jab but Luciano is out of range.
Menace looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A big left from Menace misses.
Luciano throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Menace scores with a shot to the body.
Menace is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Luciano uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Menace.
Luciano fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Menace.
Luciano connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Menace momentarily.
Charlie Luciano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luciano uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A big right from Menace misses.
Menace throws a low kick but Luciano moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menace takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Luciano steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Menace. That one must have hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Luciano throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Menace stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luciano connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Some bone on bone action there as Luciano checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Menace throws a lazy body kick
and Luciano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Luciano connects with a crisp jab.
Luciano scores with a crisp jab that stopped Menace in his tracks.
Luciano lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Menace digs a good hook to Luciano's body.
Luciano takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Luciano checks the leg kick nicely there.
Menace throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Charlie Luciano.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Luciano, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Luciano!
After winning the bout, Charlie Luciano thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.