PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tom Hiczkok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Romelu Lukaku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hiczkok
vs
Lukaku

177 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Hiczkok!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Romelu Lukaku !
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lukaku misses with the combination.
Lukaku doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hiczkok counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lukaku won't be happy with that.
Lukaku parries the strikes from Hiczkok easily there. Hiczkok is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lukaku to escape.

Hiczkok tries for a kimura but Lukaku is defending well.
Lukaku really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hiczkok. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hiczkok misses with the ground and pound.
Hiczkok misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hiczkok postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Lukaku is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Hiczkok misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiczkok throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hiczkok in side control, throwing shots but Lukaku defends.

Hiczkok has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hiczkok dodges the punch combination from Lukaku .
Lukaku tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hiczkok paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Lukaku forces Hiczkok back against the cage and clinches.
Lukaku has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hiczkok tries for a takedown but Lukaku manages to get underhooks.
Lukaku wants to get back to striking at distance but Hiczkok won't allow it.
Lukaku prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok wants to take the fight to the mat but Lukaku manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hiczkok. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hiczkok looking for a takedown.
Hiczkok is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lukaku is trying to break the clinch but Hiczkok has him pressed against the cage.
Hiczkok tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lukaku is pressed up against the cage. Hiczkok has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lukaku down to the mat. Lukaku avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lukaku misses with the combination.
Lukaku throws a series of punches but Hiczkok moves out of range.
Lukaku tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku shoots for a takedown but Hiczkok saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lukaku throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hiczkok on the side of the head.
Hiczkok has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lukaku finds it's way round the side to connect with Hiczkok's head.
Lukaku misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lukaku throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A combination from Lukaku does no damage.
Lukaku misses with a double jab

and Hiczkok counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lukaku looks winded!
Lukaku keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lukaku tries to roll over but Hiczkok keeps him under control.
Hiczkok performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lukaku is refusing to be controlled, as Hiczkok sits in half guard.
Hiczkok throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lukaku is not content to let Hiczkok control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tom Hiczkok just wasn't active enough.
Hiczkok tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lukaku swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hiczkok fails with a takedown attempt.
Lukaku throws a nice looking combination but Hiczkok bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Hiczkok gets tackled into the cage by Lukaku . Lukaku maintains the clinch.
Lukaku wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hiczkok prevents Lukaku from breaking the clinch.
Hiczkok goes for a takedown attempt but Lukaku pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lukaku throws a series of punches but Hiczkok avoids them all with ease.
Hiczkok takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiczkok dives in and grabs Lukaku 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lukaku pushes down on Hiczkok's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hiczkok. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukaku throws a series of punches but Hiczkok moves out of range.
Lukaku tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hiczkok manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Lukaku fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hiczkok, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hiczkok is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lukaku gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hiczkok.
Hiczkok is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lukaku is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok has Lukaku pressed against the cage, preventing Lukaku from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hiczkok is working for takedown but Lukaku is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hiczkok changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lukaku fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lukaku throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lukaku fails to land with a series of punches.
Hiczkok takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Lukaku clinches up with Hiczkok and pushes him back against the cage.
Lukaku can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku is looking to break free of the clinch but Hiczkok has double underhooks.
Lukaku is stalling here.
Hiczkok goes for a takedown attempt but Lukaku pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Lukaku has Hiczkok up against the cage in a clinch.
Lukaku is trying to force a seperation but Hiczkok has the dominant position.
Lukaku is looking to break free of the clinch but Hiczkok has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok is looking for a takedown.
Hiczkok is trying to drag Lukaku to the mat but Lukaku just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hiczkok is looking for a takedown.
Lukaku can't break the clinch.
Lukaku prevents the takedown attempt.
Hiczkok has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lukaku is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hiczkok wants a takedown but no success here.
Hiczkok drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lukaku wants to break free but Hiczkok has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romelu Lukaku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lukaku lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Lukaku rushes Hiczkok and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hiczkok can't get the takedown.
Lukaku has had enough of the clinch but Hiczkok keeps him there for the moment.
Lukaku prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lukaku wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hiczkok has him pressed against the cage.
Hiczkok is trying to drag Lukaku to the mat but Lukaku 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 Tom Hiczkok. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lukaku prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiczkok goes for a takedown attempt but Lukaku pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lukaku fails with a takedown attempt.
Lukaku moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lukaku feints a jab promting Hiczkok to slip. Lukaku then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hiczkok slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Lukaku throws a series of punches but Hiczkok avoids them all with ease.
Romelu Lukaku seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Hiczkok drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Lukaku stops Hiczkok from passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hiczkok decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lukaku bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lukaku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lukaku wants it to stay on the feet.
Lukaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Romelu Lukaku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lukaku shoots in looking for a takedown. Hiczkok tries to sprawl out of it but Lukaku keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hiczkok manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Danga de danga de dang - Lukaku scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hiczkok pinned against the cage. Hiczkok gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lukaku displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hiczkok uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lukaku .
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hiczkok.
Lukaku misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Lukaku , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hiczkok takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lukaku fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiczkok circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hiczkok shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lukaku but Lukaku pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lukaku lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lukaku .
Nice sprawl there from Lukaku as Hiczkok shoots in.
Hiczkok looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lukaku is fending him off so far but Hiczkok persists. Nope, Lukaku circles away and we're back to standing.
Lukaku lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hiczkok backs up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lukaku closes the distance and pushes Hiczkok back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hiczkok has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lukaku after a bit of a struggle.
Hiczkok drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lukaku gets the underhooks and prevents it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romelu Lukaku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lukaku has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight for Romelu Lukaku !
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Romelu Lukaku !
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight for Romelu Lukaku !

Romelu Lukaku wins by unanimous decision!