PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Draven Lucas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lucas comes to the cage accompanied by Techno Viking . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lucas
vs
Maanpohja

182 cm
25
185 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

171 cm
25
173 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Draven Lucas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maanpohja looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Maanpohja is working for a submission of some sort.

Maanpohja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lucas is looking for a sweep. Maanpohja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Maanpohja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lucas manages to get to full guard.

Maanpohja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lucas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maanpohja has managed to get both his arms back between Lucas's legs - danger averted.
We've been hearing good reports from Lucas's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lucas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Maanpohja is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lucas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maanpohja can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lucas trying to control the position.
Maanpohja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Lucas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maanpohja can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maanpohja pushes down on Lucas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lucas is pressing down on Maanpohja's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maanpohja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lucas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lucas looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lucas looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lucas!
Maanpohja sneaks back into half guard.
Maanpohja is looking to improve his position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lucas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maanpohja keeps working.

Maanpohja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maanpohja is not content to let Lucas control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas uses his free foot to push down on Maanpohja's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Maanpohja.
Lucas avoids the attempt from Maanpohja to control.
Maanpohja keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lucas takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lucas looking to control but Maanpohja is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lucas prevents Maanpohja from getting the reversal.
Maanpohja tries to hold on but Lucas pushes him away.
Lucas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lucas prevents Maanpohja from getting the reversal.
Lucas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lucas with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Maanpohja really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Maanpohja is squirming around, avoiding Lucas's attempts to control the action.
Maanpohja is working to get back to half guard.
Lucas is landing with some decent strikes but Maanpohja is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maanpohja is looking to get to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lucas is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Maanpohja has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Maanpohja really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Draven Lucas dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lucas lands with a nice body punch.
Lucas stuns Maanpohja with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Lucas rushes Maanpohja and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Maanpohja has picked Lucas up - he's going for a ride! Maanpohja dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

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

Maanpohja seems to be looking for submissions.
Lucas trying to control here.
Maanpohja tries to pass to full mount but Lucas defends it.

Maanpohja is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lucas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maanpohja.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maanpohja is working for a submission of some sort.
Maanpohja prevents Lucas from improving his position.
Lucas is trying to maintain the position but Maanpohja is very close to passing his half guard.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura but Lucas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Maanpohja to get the leverage.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lucas defends it well.
Maanpohja throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
My spies in Werewolf's cave inform me that Maanpohja has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Draven Lucas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucas trying to hold on to Maanpohja's head to control him but Maanpohja postures up.
Lucas keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Maanpohja is trying for a kimura here. Lucas looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Maanpohja wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Johannes Maanpohja!
After the fight, Johannes Maanpohja was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.