PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Night Owl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luka Mrtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Owl's entrance music is Dead man Gun. A fine choice. Luka Mrtic will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Owl
vs
Mrtic

180 cm
22
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

176 cm
22
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Night Owl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luka Mrtic!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Owl closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mrtic misses with an elbow over the top.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Owl tries for a takedown. No joy.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mrtic throws an elbow but misses.
Owl dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Owl takes an elbow to the temple.
Mrtic lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mrtic lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mrtic throws an elbow but misses.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but Owl blocks with his arms.
Owl dodges an elbow strike from Mrtic.
Mrtic taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it misses.
Owl tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Owl avoids the elbow strike from Mrtic, against the cage.
Owl misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrtic landing knees to the head.
Mrtic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Owl avoids it.
Mrtic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Owl.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it misses.
We've been informed that Mrtic has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Mrtic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mrtic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mrtic trying to land knees to the body.
Owl blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic lands an elbow just above Owl 's eye.
Mrtic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Owl blocks it with crossed arms.
Mrtic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mrtic looking to throw knees to the head but Owl is blocking nicely.

Owl wants the takedown. Mrtic is fighting it off but Owl persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mrtic's guard against the cage.
Mrtic controls Owl momentarily but Owl frees himself.
Owl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mrtic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mrtic looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Owl preventing the sweep.
Owl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Owl postures up in Mrtic's guard and throws a big left but Mrtic blocks it.
Owl has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mrtic has Owl pulled in close to control his posture.
Mrtic keeping full guard, as Owl tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Luka Mrtic.
Mrtic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Owl.

Owl rushes Mrtic and presses him up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Our sources have told us that Owl has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but Owl blocks with his arms.
Owl avoiding damage as Mrtic throws knees to the body.
Mrtic managing to block the knees to the body from Owl.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Owl avoids it.
Mrtic throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mrtic wants to stall.
Owl is trying to drag Mrtic to the mat but Mrtic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Night Owl. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mrtic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Owl on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mrtic lands an elbow just above Owl 's eye.
Mrtic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Owl has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Owl tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mrtic lands a damaging elbow.
Mrtic prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Mrtic dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mrtic tries to clinch up.

Owl clinches up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mrtic lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mrtic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Owl blocks the elbow strike.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mrtic lands an elbow just above Owl 's eye.
Mrtic is pressed up against the cage. Owl has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mrtic down to the mat. Mrtic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A clash of legs there as Owl blocks the low kick.
Mrtic throws a solid leg kick but Owl takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mrtic.
Mrtic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Owl shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Owl shoots in for a double leg but Mrtic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Night Owl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Owl throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mrtic.
Mrtic throws a low kick but Owl avoids it.
Mrtic throws a leg kick but Owl checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Mrtic.
Good leg kick by Mrtic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Owl checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Luka Mrtic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mrtic looks for the body kick but Owl saw that one coming.
Mrtic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mrtic connects with a leg kick. Owl looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mrtic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Owl throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mrtic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Owl is in Mrtic's guard.
Owl pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mrtic is keeping the position for now.
Owl loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mrtic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Owl pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mrtic is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic looking for a sweep. Not yet Mrtic, not yet.
Owl is pushing down on Mrtic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mrtic is fighting to maintain full guard but Owl has managed to sneak the leg through.
Owl working Mrtic over with strikes.
Mrtic tries to kick Owl off but Owl keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mrtic is trying to get back to full guard.
Owl missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Owl missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mrtic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Owl throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Owl thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Owl prevents Mrtic from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owl sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mrtic defending well though.
Mrtic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Owl.
Owl not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Owl not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mrtic trying to control here.
Mrtic wants to get back to full guard.
Owl sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mrtic defending well though.
Owl thows a huge punch but Mrtic dodges it nicely.
Night Owl overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Owl missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Owl throwing shots but Mrtic is blocking nicely.
Owl throwing shots but Mrtic is blocking nicely.
Mrtic wants to improve his position but Owl is controlling well.
Owl thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Owl prevents Mrtic from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owl throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mrtic to regain full guard.
Mrtic wants to sweep but no luck.
Mrtic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Owl wants to get back to his feet.
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!
Owl is holding on to half guard well.
Mrtic with the ground and pound but Owl uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Mrtic wants to pass the guard but Owl is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mrtic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mrtic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Owl swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Owl wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luka Mrtic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Owl lands a head kick. Mrtic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Night Owl is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Owl tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mrtic misses with a kick to the body.

Mrtic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Owl, pushing him back against the cage.
Mrtic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Owl tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mrtic avoids it.
Owl avoiding damage as Mrtic throws knees to the body.
Owl tries to stall but Mrtic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Owl jumps guard but Mrtic turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mrtic wants to stall.
Mrtic lands an elbow just above Owl 's eye.
Mrtic is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Owl is defending well for now.
Owl dodges an elbow strike from Mrtic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Owl blocks an elbow strike.
Mrtic lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mrtic creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mrtic misses with an elbow over the top.
Mrtic lands a nice elbow.
Mrtic lands an elbow inside that Owl shrugs off.
Mrtic throws an elbow that misses.
Mrtic throws a knee to the head but misses.
Owl tries to pull guard but Mrtic won't allow it.
Mrtic misses with an elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic lands an elbow inside that Owl shrugs off.
Owl blocks an elbow strike from Mrtic.
Mrtic misses with a punch to the body.
Mrtic misses with an elbow strike.
Luka Mrtic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mrtic tries a knee to the head but Owl blocks it.
Mrtic lands a damaging elbow.
Mrtic stalling.
Mrtic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Owl.
A body shot lands from Mrtic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mrtic trying to land knees to the body.
Mrtic misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owl jumps guard but Mrtic turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Night Owl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mrtic throws an elbow that misses.
Mrtic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Owl avoids the elbow strike from Mrtic, against the cage.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it misses.
Mrtic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mrtic lands an elbow just above Owl 's eye.
Mrtic stalling in the clinch but Owl improves position.
Mrtic misses with an elbow over the top.
Owl is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but Owl blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owl jumps guard but Mrtic stands there with Owl around his waist. Owl gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Owl leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mrtic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Owl dodges an elbow strike from Mrtic.
Mrtic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mrtic leaning his opponent against the cage.
Owl tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mrtic smiles and moves away.
Night Owl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Owl closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mrtic quickly recovers to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luka Mrtic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mrtic 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 28:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luka Mrtic!
In his post fight interview, Luka Mrtic started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.