PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Waclaw Panek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquin Fortunado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fortunado comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Stairway to Heaven kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Panek
vs
Fortunado

195 cm
22
220 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

191 cm
22
220 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

****160Q Energy for $150****
$10

160!
Just Fight

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Waclaw Panek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquin Fortunado!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fortunado throws the kick towards the body but Panek avoids it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Panek.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Panek wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fortunado keeps working.
Fortunado tries to escape but Panek is in control.
Panek is looking to take a break and control but Fortunado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Fortunado's face as Panek controls the position.
Panek trying to control the position but Fortunado is working away.
Fortunado is trying to control Panek's posture but Panek avoids it.

Panek working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fortunado gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panek tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fortunado knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Fortunado has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Panek is working away from the top position though.
Panek wants to pass the guard but Fortunado is defending well.

Fortunado looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fortunado wants to get back to his feet.
Fortunado is pressing down on Panek's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Panek trying to control but Fortunado is working from the bottom.
Fortunado not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fortunado looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fortunado is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fortunado seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Panek forces his way into half guard.

Fortunado looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fortunado wants to improve his position but Panek is controlling well.
Fortunado is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Panek sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Panek wants to pass to mount but Fortunado is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panek works his way into full mount!
Fortunado is trying to reverse the position but instead Panek has taken his back - oops!
Fortunado breaks Panek's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fortunado trying to control but Panek is working from the bottom.
Panek wants to sweep but no luck.

Panek looking for a guillotine here but Fortunado defends easily.
Panek looking to control.
Fortunado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Panek works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Panek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fortunado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Panek keeping full guard, as Fortunado tries to pass.
Fortunado passes into half guard.
Fortunado thows a huge punch but Panek dodges it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fortunado lands with a punch from half guard.
Fortunado wants to stand up but Panek has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Fortunado is trying to control. Panek wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fortunado uses his free foot to push down on Panek's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Panek.
Fortunado avoids the attempt from Panek to control.
Fortunado can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Panek is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joaquin Fortunado will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fortunado misses with the combination.
Panek checks the leg kick.

Panek decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fortunado tries to kick Panek off but Panek keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fortunado works his way to full guard. Good work.
Panek wants to control from the top but Fortunado keeps moving.
Fortunado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Panek is one step ahead there.
Panek stands and throws Fortunado's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Panek thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fortunado manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Panek is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fortunado defends it well.

Fortunado actively working from the bottom here.
Panek is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Panek moves to take his opponent's back.
Panek not allowing Fortunado to control his hands.

Panek looking to break Fortunado's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Fortunado remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Panek will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Fortunado staying busy and making it hard for Panek to control.

Panek tightening his grip on Fortunado, looking for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panek is hanging on to Fortunado's back as he tries to escape.
Fortunado turns into Panek and is now in his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fortunado postures up in Panek's guard and throws a big left but Panek blocks it.
Panek is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Fortunado wants to control but Panek is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Panek is trying to work for a kimura but Fortunado is defending well.
Panek works his way into full mount!
Panek looking to control but Fortunado is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortunado tries to improve his position but instead Panek has taken his back!
Panek trying to control.
Fortunado manages to reverse the position and now he's in Panek's guard. Nice work there by Fortunado.
Fortunado wants to pass the guard but Panek is keeping the position.
Fortunado is pushing down on Panek's leg trying to pass to half guard. Panek is fighting to maintain full guard but Fortunado has managed to sneak the leg through.
Panek trying to hold on to Fortunado's head to control him but Fortunado postures up.
Fortunado thows a huge punch but Panek dodges it nicely.
Panek taking some punishment here, with Fortunado in his half guard.
Panek wants to get back to full guard.
Fortunado is thwarting Panek's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panek wants to improve his position but Fortunado is controlling well.
Panek gets full guard.
Waclaw Panek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fortunado makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Panek has control of Fortunado's left arm, preventing Fortunado from doing any damage.
Panek wants to sweep but no luck.

Panek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fortunado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Panek keeping full guard, as Fortunado tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fortunado is in close to Panek's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waclaw Panek dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Fortunado uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Panek.
Fortunado lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fortunado stuffs the takedown.

Panek is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fortunado's half guard.
Fortunado is looking to improve his position.
Fortunado is looking to control Panek's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fortunado avoid being mounted?
Panek slows the pace down in half guard.
Panek trying to pass the guard but Fortunado defending well.

Panek is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fortunado is just riding it out for now. Panek eventually gives up the hold.

Panek is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fortunado sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortunado is looking to improve his position.
Fortunado slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Panek controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Fortunado had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Panek defends it easily.
Fortunado is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fortunado looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fortunado wants to sweep here but Panek controlling him for the moment.
Panek stands and throws Fortunado's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fortunado wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Fortunado is not content to let Panek control the position.
Fortunado manages to work his way to half guard, despite Panek's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panek is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fortunado trying to hold on to Panek's head to control him but Panek postures up.
Panek passes to full mount!
Fortunado is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Panek has taken his back.
Panek keeps control of the position as Fortunado tries to break free.

Fortunado fending off the submission attempt from Panek.
Fortunado is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fortunado is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good control from Panek.

Panek is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Fortunado is defending well though. Panek let's go of the attempt for now.
Fortunado is trying to get back to his feet but Panek has full control of the position and if anything, Fortunado has just worked his way into a worse spot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Panek is looking for the choke from the back position but Fortunado is controlling his hands well.

Panek is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Fortunado looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waclaw Panek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Panek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waclaw Panek!
Waclaw Panek gave a mention to $10 in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).