PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Bowman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Lukic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bowman
vs
Lukic

196 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddy Bowman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mirko Lukic!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lukic shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lukic was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bowman misses with a strike from the bottom.
Lukic tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lukic looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bowman is trying to control Lukic's posture but Lukic avoids it.
Bowman tries to bench press Lukic off him but Lukic keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lukic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bowman rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lukic's guard! Nice work there by Bowman!
Bowman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lukic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Lukic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bowman defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bowman is looking to stand up but Lukic won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukic keeping full guard, as Bowman tries to pass.
Bowman throwing strikes but missing.

Lukic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Lukic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lukic looks winded!
Bowman trying to control but Lukic is working from the bottom.

Lukic has an active guard here but Bowman has managed to pass into half guard.
Bowman working over Lukic with some ground and pound. Lukic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lukic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bowman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bowman wants to get back to his feet.
Bowman trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Bowman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bowman content just to control the position here.
Bowman lands a big shot there that rocks Lukic but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukic is squirming around, avoiding Bowman's attempts to control the action.
Bowman prevents Lukic from getting the reversal.
Bowman sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Bowman trying to control but Lukic is having none of it.
Bowman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bowman working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukic working to try and regain half guard.
A nice elbow there by Bowman.
A nice elbow there by Bowman.
Bowman controlling his opponent.
Bowman fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Bowman lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Lukic is working to get back to half guard.
Bowman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bowman misses with a body kick.

Bowman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lukic is looking for a sweep.
Bowman controls the position.
We've been informed that Lukic has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lukic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lukic is still trying to improve position.
Lukic is breathing heavily.
Bowman trying to control the action but Lukic is working from the bottom.
Bowman tries to stand but Lukic is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bowman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lukic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bowman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bowman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Lukic looking for submissions off his back.
Bowman wants to control but Lukic is keeping him busy.

Lukic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bowman wants to free his trapped foot but Lukic is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowman tries to stand and escape but Lukic is controlling the position.
Bowman throwing shots but Lukic is blocking nicely.
Bowman is looking to take a break and control but Lukic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lukic looking for submissions off his back.

Lukic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bowman uses his free foot to push down on Lukic's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lukic.
Bowman controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lukic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bowman.
Bowman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lukic is trying to escape the mount.
Bowman landing strikes from the mount.
Lukic is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bowman wants to control the pace but Lukic is squirming around nicely.
Bowman has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lukic's face.
Lukic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lukic is in a horrible position here. Bowman smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Bowman looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lukic is squirming around, avoiding Bowman's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddy Bowman dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bowman throws a head kick but Lukic moves out of range.

Lukic looking to score a takedown here. Bowman is defending well but Lukic drives through and ends up in Bowman's guard.
Lukic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Bowman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lukic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lukic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bowman has Lukic pulled in close to control his posture.
Lukic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Lukic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bowman is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lukic, into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowman forces his way into half guard.
Lukic is looking to improve his position.

Bowman looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lukic keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lukic looking for submissions off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bowman in particular looking to stall.
Bowman moves into full mount! Lukic won't be happy about that!

Lukic defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bowman.
Bowman looking to control but Lukic is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lukic bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowman throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Lukic won't allow Bowman to sweep him here.

Lukic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bowman wants to sweep but no luck.
Bowman working a defensive guard here.
Lukic tries to stand but Bowman is controlling from the bottom.
Bowman pulls Lukic in to control the position.
Bowman is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Bowman is working an open guard so Lukic takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bowman shoots in looking for a takedown but Lukic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bowman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lukic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Lukic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bowman tries to avoid it but Lukic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bowman to the ground. Bowman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Bowman closes the distance and clinches.
Lukic stalls.
The referee calls for Bowman to work.
Mirko Lukic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eddy Bowman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bowman blocks a punch to the side of the head.

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 Eddy Bowman.
Well Bowman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddy Bowman!