PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Futeran (ranked 3182 p4p, 3633 weight class) and Frank Lucas Iv (ranked 347 p4p, 351 weight class). Futeran's entrance music is Jesus Christ Superstar. A fine choice. 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.

Futeran
vs
Lucas Iv

176 cm
25
154
8 - 9 - 0

168 cm
25
148
7 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Joseph Futeran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Lucas Iv!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lucas Iv gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Futeran to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lucas Iv working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futeran.
Futeran working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lucas Iv's head.
Futeran is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Futeran lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Futeran with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lucas Iv avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Futeran is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Futeran trying to control but Lucas Iv is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that Futeran has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Futeran landing with the ground and pound.
Futeran 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.
Futeran postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lucas Iv is adopting a defensive guard.
Futeran scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas Iv is controlling Futeran's posture.
Futeran throwing strikes but missing.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Lucas Iv manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Futeran misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lucas Iv is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Futeran missing with knees to the body.
Futeran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Futeran makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lucas Iv looking for a takedown.
Futeran missing with knees to the body.
Lucas Iv drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Futeran gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Joseph Futeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Futeran fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Futeran gets the takedown into side control.

Lucas Iv bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Futeran throws a lazy right hand but Lucas Iv sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Futeran feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lucas Ivs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Futeran throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lucas Iv changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Futeran moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lucas Iv shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Futeran but Futeran pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Futeran throws a leg kick which misses Lucas Iv's front leg but catches the back leg as Lucas Iv tries to avoid it.
A left and a right from Lucas Iv both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Futeran scores with a shot to the body.
Futeran throws a nice inside leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lucas Iv is defended easily by Futeran.
Futeran cracks a nice hook into Lucas Iv's ribs.
Futeran lands the left hand.
Futeran fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lucas Iv on the side of the head.
Joseph Futeran seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Futeran throws a lazy right hand but Lucas Iv sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Futeran is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A jab from Futeran misses.
Lucas Iv closes the distance and clinches up with Futeran, looking for a takedown. Lucas Iv pushes Futeran against the cage but Futeran circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Futeran closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lucas Iv quickly recovers to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lucas Iv is trying to control but can't.
Lucas Iv is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Futeran jumps into side control!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lucas Iv is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Futeran wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lucas Iv keeps working.

Futeran is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lucas Iv is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Futeran wants to control for a moment but Lucas Iv uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Lucas Iv avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Futeran.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Futeran dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Futeran on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Lucas Iv darts in and clinches Futeran up against the cage.
Lucas Iv blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lucas Iv tries to score a body lock takedown but Futeran shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Futeran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lucas Iv backwards.
Futeran leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lucas Iv goes for a takedown attempt but Futeran pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lucas Iv doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Futeran counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Joseph Futeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Lucas Iv.
A good leg kick by Futeran.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas Iv drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Futeran lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lucas Iv tries to close the distance and clinch but Futeran swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lucas Iv on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Futeran misses with a jab to the body
and Lucas Iv counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Lucas Iv 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lucas Iv stalks Futeran and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Futeran's face. Futeran staggers backwards, shaken.
Futeran tries to bum rush Lucas Iv with a series of wild strikes but Lucas Iv uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lucas Iv keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Futeran tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lucas Iv was well out of range. Poor timing from Futeran.
Lucas Iv darts in looking for a takedown but Futeran gets double underhooks and turns Lucas Iv into the cage.
Lucas Iv changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Futeran tries to avoid it but Lucas Iv manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Futeran to the ground. Futeran escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv tries for a takedown but Futeran circles away easily
and Futeran cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Futeran misses with a double jab.
Lucas Iv is looking for the big counter here.
Lucas Iv misses with a takedown attempt - Futeran sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lucas Iv has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futeran uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lucas Iv has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Futeran finds it's way round the side to connect with Lucas Iv's head.
Futeran lands a slapping body shot.
Futeran cracks Lucas Iv with an open hand slap.
Lucas Iv tries to close the distance and clinch but Futeran swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Futeran misses the target.
Futeran looks to throw the jab but Lucas Iv is out of range.
Futeran throws a front kick aimed at Lucas Iv's knee but Lucas Iv avoids it well.
Futeran fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Joseph Futeran is winning the standup battle so far.
Futeran swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv closes this distance looking for a takedown but Futeran circles away.
Futeran throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Futeran.
Lucas Iv doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Futeran's waist but Futeran gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lucas Iv off to one side.
Futeran lands a jab to the nose.
Futeran connects with a jab.
Futeran looks to land a left hand but Lucas Iv moved out of range nicely.
Lucas Iv with a poor takedown
enabling Futeran to counter with a crisp jab.

Lucas Iv is rocked!
Futeran thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lucas Iv shoots in looking for a takedown. Futeran tries to sprawl out of it but Lucas Iv keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Futeran manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lucas Iv is breathing heavily.
Futeran lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lucas Iv circles away quickly and effectively.
Futeran misses the shot to the body.
Lucas Iv with the counter takedown but Futeran avoids it easily.
Lucas Iv fails with a takedown attempt.
Lucas Iv throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Futeran sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Iv takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Futeran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lucas Iv can do to turn this around?
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Futeran sets himself, and Lucas Iv steps forward looking for the clinch! Futeran avoids it this time.
A swing and a miss from Futeran.
Futeran looks to throw the jab but Lucas Iv is out of range.
The crowd cheers as Futeran lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lucas Iv doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lucas Iv doesn't manage to clinch there - Futeran circles away.
As Lucas Iv looks to move away, Futeran throws a big counter combo but Lucas Iv just gets out of the way.
Lucas Iv bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Futeran throws a nice looking combination but Lucas Iv bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Futeran lands with a cross.
Futeran jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Lucas Iv feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lucas Iv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lucas Iv postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lucas Iv working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lucas Iv with a nice head shot there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Futeran dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Futeran misses the shot to the body.
Lucas Iv moves away from the strike by Futeran.
Futeran pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Lucas Iv gets the takedown into side control.
Futeran is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Futeran is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lucas Iv thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Futeran has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lucas Iv is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucas Iv working Futeran over with strikes.
Futeran blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lucas Iv.
Lucas Iv prevents Futeran from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Futeran manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas Iv stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Futeran swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Frank Lucas Iv has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lucas Iv with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lucas Iv wants to control from the top but Futeran keeps moving.

Futeran looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lucas Iv working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Futeran's head.
Lucas Iv must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lucas Iv is working Futeran over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Lucas Iv stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Futeran throws up his legs and catches Lucas Iv in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Lucas Iv tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Futeran! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Joseph Futeran!
A relieved looking Joseph Futeran thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.