PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giovani Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lukas Hanak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hanak's choice of entrance music: Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Castro
vs
Hanak

170 cm
32
162 lbs
27 - 16 - 1

172 cm
29
164 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Mohito Fightwear (Laundry)

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 27 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giovani Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Lukas Hanak!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanak motions for Castro to come forward. Hanak throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've been told by Castro's head coaches at Turbo Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hanak takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Castro works Hanak's body with a nice hook.
Hanak swings for the body but Castro moves out of range.
Castro throws out a loose jab but Hanak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castro throws a big shot that misses.
Castro bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hanak has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Castro.
Giovani Castro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castro scores with a jab.
Hanak walks into a jab.
Castro scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hanak takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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!
Hanak looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hanak lunges at Castro with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Castro's hand.
Castro ducks under a wild hook from Hanak.
A clash of legs there as Castro blocks the low kick.
Castro tried to counter with a leg kick but Hanak avoided it.
Hanak is looking to land body kicks.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hanak 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.
That kick from Castro tenderised Hanak's leg. Hanak is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Hanak.
Castro throws a big shot that misses.
Castro finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hanak connects with a crisp jab.
Hanak throws a hook to the side of Castro's head but Castro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hanak chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Castro loads up on a big right hand but Hanak slips the punch.
Hanak looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hanak.
Good shot there by Hanak.
Hanak throws an overhand right that lands on Castro's shoulder, as Castro tries to avoid the shot.
A little feinted left hand from Castro on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hanak misses with a wild body shot.
Castro looks to throw the jab but Hanak is out of range.
Castro tests Hanak's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Castro throws a right hand that misses

and Hanak counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanak throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Castro seems keen to control Hanak's posture.
Hanak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Castro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Castro working a defensive guard here.
Castro is controlling Hanak's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanak is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Castro.
Hanak shoots in for a double leg but Castro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice shot lands for Castro.
Castro throws a body kick that misses

and Hanak counters with a single leg into guard. Castro didn't expect that.
Castro pulls Hanak in close to prevent any damage.
Hanak postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hanak throws a big right hand that misses.
Castro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hanak.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro pulls Hanak in close to prevent any damage.
Hanak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Castro trying to keep a closed guard but Hanak is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
An inside leg kick lands from Hanak.
Castro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hanak dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hanak shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Castro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hanak has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hanak throws a head kick that Castro semi-blocks.
Hanak thows a left - swing and a miss!
Left hook, right uppercut from Castro.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lukas Hanak will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good leg kick by Hanak there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hanak throws a hook but Castro avoids it easily.
Castro shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hanak steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Castro.
Hanak misses with a looping left.
Hanak cracks Castro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hanak feints and then cracks Castro's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Castro down.
Hanak needs to keep his hands up - Castro had a free shot at his head there.
Castro looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hanak lands a high kick!
Hanak cracks Castro with a right hand to the side of the head.
Jab by Castro.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanak lands a lovely overhand right.
Castro misses with a hook. Hanak ducked under it nicely.
Castro lands a jab to the head.
Castro misses with a straight left.

Castro closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanak breaks from the clinch.
Hanak scores with a nice head shot.
Castro scores with a leg kick.
Hanak takes a swing at Castro's ribcage but misses.
Castro misses with a hook. Hanak ducked under it nicely.
Hanak takes one to the chin there.
Castro takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Castro tries to score with a low kick but Hanak moves his leg out of the way.
Hanak is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hanak ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Castro misses with a hook. Hanak ducked under it nicely.
Castro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hanak throws out the jab.
Castro closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Hanak misses.
Hanak lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanak misses with a low kick.
Castro connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A leg kick checked by Hanak.
Hanak scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hanak on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hanak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Castro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Castro throws a leg kick but Hanak sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hanak with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Castro to score with a decent uppercut.
Castro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hanak.
Castro changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hanak takes a swing at Castro's ribcage but misses.
Hanak scores with a jab.
Castro takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hanak lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Castro's corner calls for a 1-2. Castro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Castro throws a head kick that Hanak semi-blocks.
Castro moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro walks into a stiff left hand from Hanak.
Hanak lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Castro throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hanak counters with a nice low kick that buckles Castro's knee momentarily.
Hanak takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Castro tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lukas Hanak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hanak bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Castro's head.
Hanak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hanak tries to work over Castro's front leg with a kick but Castro checks it.
Castro looks to land a right hand but Hanak moved out of range.
Good exchange - Castro coming out on top.
Castro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hanak slips a jab from Castro.
Hanak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Castro.
Hanak looks to throw the jab but Castro is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanak scores with a body shot.
Hanak looks for a takedown but Castro sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Castro scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hanak.
Hanak finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Castro tests Hanak's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Castro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Castro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hanak moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro ducks right into an uppercut from Hanak.
Castro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hanak tries to score with a low kick but Castro moves his leg out of the way.
Castro misses with a hook
and Hanak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lukas Hanak will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Castro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hanak drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Castro defends it well.
Castro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hanak.
Hanak shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hanak thuds a left hand into Castro's body.
Hanak walks into a left hand.
Hanak connects with a crisp jab.
Castro moves out of range of the body kick.
Castro lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Castro moves out of range of the leg kick from Hanak.
Hanak just misses with a punch to the body.
Hanak pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanak slips under a jab.
Hanak's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Castro throws a low kick, looking for Hanak's leg but Hanak calmly moves out of range.
Castro throws a nice inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hanak.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro tries to clinch but Hanak moves out of range.
Castro misses with a shot to the body
and Hanak makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hanak fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castro on the side of the head.
Hanak tries a head kick but it misses.
Castro checks the leg kick nicely there.
Castro looks for the body kick but Hanak saw that one coming.
Hanak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Castro.
And Hanak tries to counter it with a takedown but Castro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice shot lands for Hanak.
That kick from Castro tenderised Hanak's leg. Hanak is trying to keep his angry face on.
Castro lands a nice looking body shot.
Hanak looks for a takedown but Castro sprawls well.
Hanak moves forwards but Castro connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Castro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hanak.
Giovani Castro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro throws a jab but it's blocked by Hanak.
Castro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castro scoring well with a low kick there.
Castro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hanak.
Nice defenses there by Castro.
Castro lands a head kick. Hanak smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Castro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Castro misses its intended target.
Hanak scoring well with a low kick there.
Hanak just misses with a punch to the body.
Hanak misses with a body shot.
Castro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Castro closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hanak staying out of range there.
Hanak misses with a looping right.
Hanak lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro scores with a jab to the head.
Hanak throws a wild body kick that Castro sees coming a mile off.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hanak.
Castro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hanak lands an overhand right.
Castro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hanak.
Castro swings for the body but Hanak moves out of range.
Castro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castro takes a swing at Hanak's ribcage but misses.
Castro throws a leg kick
and Hanak counters with a one-two to the body.
Hanak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab from Hanak does it's job there.
Hanak misses with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanak lands a nice hook to Castro's body. Castro takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Castro moves out of range as Hanak throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro misses with a straight left.
Some bone on bone action there as Castro checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hanak throws a right hand that misses
and Castro counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hanak blocks the body kick.
Hanak cracks Castro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A head kick misses from Hanak.
Hanak misses with a looping left.
Castro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hanak moves away.
Good shot there by Hanak.
Castro looks to throw the jab but Hanak is out of range.
Hanak pushes Castro away with a front kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good standup being displayed there by Hanak as he connects with a hook.
Lukas Hanak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Castro throws an overhand right that lands on Hanak's shoulder, as Hanak tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lukas Hanak.
I've got Hanak 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lukas Hanak!
A victorious Lukas Hanak thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.