PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricard Cuenca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Folignus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cuenca's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 2pac - Troublesome '96. Folignus has chosen Laces Out as his entrance music. Ricard Cuenca has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cuenca
vs
Folignus

189 cm
32
197 lbs
23 - 5 - 0

186 cm
33
193 lbs
21 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Underworld Clothing
AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricard Cuenca!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Folignus!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Folignus looking to score a takedown here. Cuenca is defending well but Folignus drives through and ends up in Cuenca's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Folignus wants to control from the top but Cuenca keeps moving.
Folignus is pushing down on Cuenca's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cuenca is fighting to maintain full guard but Folignus has managed to sneak the leg through.

Cuenca pushes Folignus off and gets back to his feet.
Folignus tries to score with a low kick but Cuenca moves his leg out of the way.
Folignus throws a body kick that misses.
Cuenca digs a good hook to Folignus's body.
Cuenca throws a head kick but Folignus moves out of range.
Ricard Cuenca seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cuenca connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Folignus's hands.
Cuenca scores with a three punch combo!
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!
Cuenca moves out of range of the body kick from Folignus.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Folignus has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Cuenca blocks the leg kick.
Cuenca drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folignus throws a poor cross that misses
and Cuenca counters with a stiff right hand.
Cuenca rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Folignus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Cuenca throws a hook but Folignus blocks it.
Folignus tries a quick counter leg kick but Cuenca is wise to it.
A thudding body kick lands there by Folignus!
Cuenca throws a predictable looking body shot
and Folignus counters with a head kick.
Folignus slips under a jab.
Cuenca looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A head kick from Cuenca lands but Folignus takes it in his stride.
Folignus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cuenca.
Folignus dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cuenca. That did some damage!
Cuenca throws a head kick that misses.
Cuenca throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cuenca is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cuenca fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Folignus is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folignus wants to slow Cuenca down by chopping away at his legs.
Cuenca tried to counter with a leg kick but Folignus avoided it.
Folignus is still on wobbly legs! Can Cuenca finish him?
Ricard Cuenca is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Folignus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cuenca throws out the jab.
Folignus seems to have recovered his senses.
Cuenca bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Folignus's head backwards.
Folignus with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Folignus tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Folignus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cuenca lands a nice leg kick that just misses Folignus's sensitive parts.
Cuenca blocks a low kick nicely.
Folignus misses with a body kick.
Folignus takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Folignus tries a low kick but Cuenca avoids it.
Cuenca turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Folignus tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cuenca manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Folignus misses its intended target.
Cuenca connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Folignus's hands.
Folignus thows a leg kick but Cuenca checks it

and Cuenca counters by moving into the clinch.
Folignus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cuenca avoids it.

Folignus manages to pull guard.
Folignus bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cuenca's guard.

Folignus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cuenca works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Folignus pushing down on Cuenca's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Folignus seems to be working for a kimura but Cuenca defends the submission attempt.
Cuenca is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca is working hard here to advance position.

Folignus 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.
Cuenca tries to kick Folignus off but Folignus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Folignus is keen to just control but Cuenca is a slippery customer.
Folignus trying to mount his opponent but Cuenca defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricard Cuenca will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cuenca scoring well with a low kick there.
Folignus attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cuenca half committed to a counter leg kick.
Folignus looks to throw the jab but Cuenca is out of range.
Folignus misses with a leg kick
and Cuenca cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Folignus takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cuenca swings widly with a right hand
enabling Folignus to counter with a crisp jab.
Cuenca throws a leg kick that is checked
and Folignus counters with a good low kick that Cuenca was not able to check.
Cuenca on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuenca scores with a nice right hand.
Cuenca cracks Folignus with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cuenca throws a head kick but Folignus moves out of range.
Cuenca throws an overhand right that lands on Folignus's shoulder, as Folignus tries to avoid the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cuenca jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folignus scores with a leg kick.
Cuenca avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Folignus connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cuenca. Cuenca circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Folignus takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Folignus's corner calls for a 1-2. Folignus obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Folignus throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cuenca counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Folignus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cuenca sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Folignus somewhat.
Folignus takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folignus lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ricard Cuenca is winning the standup battle so far.
Folignus thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cuenca if he has to take too many more of those.
Folignus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cuenca.
Folignus lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Folignus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Folignus swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Folignus shoots for a double leg takedown but Cuenca sprawls well. He's pushed Folignus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It looked like Cuenca wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cuenca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Folignus.
Folignus throws a leg kick
and Cuenca counters with a slapping leg kick.
Cuenca jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cuenca connects with a body shot.
Cuenca connects with the punch.
Cuenca connects with an inside leg kick.
Cuenca throws a looping overhand right but Folignus ducks down to avoid it.
Folignus steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cuenca.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca throws a hook to the side of Folignus's head but Folignus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Folignus blocks a leg kick.
Cuenca lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Folignus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A clash of legs there as Folignus blocks the low kick.
Folignus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Folignus motions for Cuenca to come forward. Folignus throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cuenca is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cuenca lands with a right hand.
Folignus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cuenca.
Folignus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Folignus misses with a low kick as Cuenca jumps back.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cuenca darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Cuenca.
Folignus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cuenca tried to counter with a leg kick but Folignus avoided it.
Cuenca throws a leg kick but Folignus sees it coming and moves out of range.
Folignus misses with a low kick as Cuenca jumps back.
As Folignus backs away, Cuenca returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Cuenca is looking to score with low kicks.
Folignus is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cuenca misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cuenca throws a low kick but Folignus avoids it.
Cuenca lands a leg kick that knocks Folignus off balance momentarily.
Folignus fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Folignus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Folignus darts in looking for a takedown but Cuenca gets double underhooks and turns Folignus into the cage.
Ricard Cuenca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Folignus.
Cuenca ducks under a wild hook from Folignus.
Cuenca throws out a powerful jab.
Cuenca pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricard Cuenca dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cuenca throws a lazy right hand but Folignus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cuenca checks a leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Cuenca there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cuenca, right into the meat.
Cuenca throws a head kick that half lands.
Folignus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cuenca manages to avoid it.
Folignus is looking to chop away at Cuenca's legs.
Cuenca on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Folignus scores with a sloppy right hand. Cuenca should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuenca lands with an uppercut that bounces Folignus off the cage and back into range.
Folignus throws a lazy body kick
and Cuenca counters with a good low kick that Folignus was not able to check.
Folignus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Folignus throws a low kick but Cuenca moves out of range easily.
Folignus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folignus moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cuenca with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cuenca chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Folignus thuds his shin into the meat of Cuenca's side.
Cuenca throws a hook but Folignus avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Folignus.
Cuenca displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Folignus throws out the jab.
Folignus misses with a right hand
and Cuenca counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Folignus lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Folignus drives through with a takedown into Cuenca's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cuenca looking to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Folignus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cuenca swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca looking to hit a scissor sweep but Folignus is one step ahead there.

Cuenca is looking for a triangle but Folignus pushes his legs off easily.
Folignus trying to control but Cuenca is working from the bottom.
Cuenca looking for a sweep. Not yet Cuenca, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca is trying to control the position but Folignus postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Folignus wants to slow Cuenca down by chopping away at his legs.
Folignus moves out of range of the body kick.
Folignus has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cuenca.
Cuenca bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Cuenca lands with a slapping head kick.
Cuenca lands a really nice looking cross but Folignus seems unphased.
Cuenca bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Folignus throws a big shot that misses.
Cuenca tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca throws a sloppy head kick and Folignus moves out of range easily.
Folignus moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cuenca takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Folignus buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cuenca lands a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Cuenca misses.
A cross from Cuenca lands.
Folignus thumps Cuenca with a low kick.
Cuenca waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Folignus.
Cuenca throws a one two combo.
Cuenca lands with a kick to the ribs.
Cuenca is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Folignus can do to turn this around?
Cuenca takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricard Cuenca clearly takes that round.
That's time! Cuenca's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A head kick misses from Cuenca.
Nice shot lands for Folignus.
Folignus misses with an uppercut
and Cuenca counters with an outside leg kick.
Folignus moves out of range as Cuenca throws a body kick.
Folignus turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Folignus throws a head kick that misses.
Folignus throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cuenca makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Cuenca cracks Folignus with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Folignus blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick from Folignus misses.
Folignus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cuenca.
Cuenca takes a swing at Folignus's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuenca throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice shot by Cuenca.
Folignus lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cuenca throws a good cross that connects.
Cuenca throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cuenca throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Folignus with the counter takedown but Cuenca avoids it easily.
Cuenca jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cuenca staying out of range there.
Cuenca was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Folignus lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cuenca misses with a straight left.
Folignus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters circling a little - Cuenca finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca misses with a body kick.
Folignus steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cuenca.
Folignus just misses with a punch to the body.
Cuenca throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice shot lands for Cuenca.
Folignus moves away from the strike by Cuenca.
Cuenca looks to throw the jab but Folignus is out of range.
Cuenca throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Folignus sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cuenca looks to throw the jab but Folignus is out of range.
Folignus tries a quick counter leg kick but Cuenca is wise to it.
A lazy body kick from Cuenca
and Folignus counters with a stiff right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Folignus.
Folignus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cuenca.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuenca throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Folignus on the side of the head.
Folignus walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cuenca throws a lazy body kick
and Folignus connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cuenca misses with a double jab

and Folignus counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Folignus.
Folignus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cuenca lands a body shot.

Cuenca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Folignus looks to land a right hand but Cuenca moved out of range.
Folignus moves out of range as Cuenca strikes.
Folignus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cuenca's waist but Cuenca gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Folignus off to one side.
Cuenca appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ricard Cuenca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Folignus.
Folignus is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Folignus throws a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folignus shoots for a double leg takedown but Cuenca sprawls well. He's pushed Folignus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cuenca scores with a hook to the body. Folignus takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Folignus on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A good leg kick by Cuenca.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cuenca throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Folignus stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cuenca throws a hook but Folignus avoids it easily.
Folignus is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cuenca connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Folignus slips under a jab from Cuenca.
Cuenca connects with an inside leg kick.
Cuenca misses with an uppercut. Folignus saw that one coming.
A low kick from Folignus is predictable there
and Cuenca counters with a body kick.
Folignus fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cuenca is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricard Cuenca had his way with Nick Folignus in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cuenca connects with an inside leg kick.
Folignus throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Folignus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cuenca as he avoids it easily.
Folignus shoots in for a double leg but Cuenca sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cuenca stuns Folignus with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Folignus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cuenca throws a right and a left that Folignus avoids nicely.
Folignus shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Folignus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Folignus is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cuenca avoids the head kick by Folignus.
Cuenca looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Folignus misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Cuenca throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cuenca tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Folignus was well out of range. Poor timing from Cuenca.
Cuenca lands a nice leg kick that just misses Folignus's sensitive parts.
A nice inside leg kick there by Folignus. That's going to slow Cuenca down.
Cuenca ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Folignus pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Cuenca misses the target.
Cuenca uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Folignus.
Cuenca wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cuenca thuds a left hand into Folignus's body.
Cuenca works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cuenca lands a glancing blow to the side of Folignus's head.
Cuenca's jab looks to have found its range, popping Folignus under the eye.
Cuenca misses with a low kick as Folignus jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Folignus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cuenca.
Cuenca swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Folignus tries to work over Cuenca's front leg with a kick but Cuenca checks it.
Cuenca misses with a low kick.
Folignus throws a big counter head kick but Cuenca avoids it with no problem.
Folignus scores with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Folignus takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Cuenca lands a nice leg kick that just misses Folignus's sensitive parts.
Cuenca jabs Folignus to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cuenca with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cuenca dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cuenca takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Folignus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Folignus misses with an uppercut. Cuenca saw that one coming.
Cuenca with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cuenca looks to land a left hand but Folignus moved out of range nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Folignus.
Ricard Cuenca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Folignus.
Cuenca defending well as Folignus loads up on a big left hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cuenca, as that shot connected.
Folignus connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cuenca. Cuenca circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Folignus avoids the body shot from Cuenca.
Folignus tries to clinch but Cuenca moves away
and Folignus takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Folignus.
Ricard Cuenca is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folignus misses with a low kick as Cuenca jumps back.
Cuenca avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Folignus misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cuenca fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nick Folignus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A decent looking cross lands there for Cuenca.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Folignus.
Folignus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Folignus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Folignus misses with a kick to the body.
Cuenca feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Cuenca scores with a leg kick.
Cuenca changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricard Cuenca showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cuenca, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:45
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricard Cuenca!
Ricard Cuenca retains his middleweight title!