PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Constantin Niculescu (ranked 208 p4p, 562 weight class) and Swole Ricky Martin (ranked 32 p4p, 81 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Niculescu
vs
Martin

183 cm
26
205
14 - 6 - 0

183 cm
26
208
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Constantin Niculescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Swole Ricky Martin!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Martin throws a body kick that misses

and Niculescu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Niculescu trying to pass the guard but Martin defending well.
Martin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Niculescu.
Niculescu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Martin felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Martin gets full guard.
Martin managing to control the position.
Martin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niculescu looking to pass the guard.
Niculescu won't allow Martin to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Niculescu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Niculescu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Niculescu is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Martin has momentary wrist control but Niculescu slips an elbow through the middle.
Martin managing to control the position.
Niculescu wants to control from the top but Martin keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Niculescu throws a strike but Martin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Niculescu wants to improve his position but instead Martin has moved into half guard.
Niculescu is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu is working hard here to advance position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Niculescu trying to get back to full guard but Martin takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Niculescu keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Niculescu is in all sorts of trouble here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Martin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Constantin Niculescu dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Niculescu checks a leg kick.
A slow jab from Niculescu misses its intended target.
Niculescu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice shot by Niculescu.
Niculescu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Martin throws a wild body kick that Niculescu sees coming a mile off.
Niculescu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Niculescu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Martin.
Martin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Niculescu.
Nice body kick there by Martin.
Niculescu missing with a left hand there. Martin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin swings for the body but Niculescu moves out of range.
Martin throws a looping overhand right but Niculescu ducks down to avoid it.
Martin feints and then cracks Niculescu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Niculescu down.
Martin looks to land a left hand but Niculescu moved out of range nicely.
Niculescu drops down looking for a counter takedown but Martin sprawls and moves away.
Martin throws a body kick that misses.
Niculescu feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu shoots in and drives through. Martin sprawls well.
Martin lands a right hook to the body.
Martin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Martin misses with a straight left.
Martin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Niculescu.

Niculescu looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Constantin Niculescu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Niculescu with the ground and pound but Martin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Niculescu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Martin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Martin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Niculescu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu trying to control the position from guard on top but Martin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Niculescu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Martin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Niculescu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Niculescu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Niculescu throwing strikes but missing.
Niculescu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Martin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Martin misses with a body shot.
Niculescu appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Martin misses with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Martin.
Martin throws an off balance right hand

and Niculescu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Niculescu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Martin wants to control but Niculescu is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Niculescu wants to free his trapped foot but Martin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Niculescu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Niculescu thows a huge punch but Martin dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Martin is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Niculescu wants to control but Martin is keeping him busy.
Niculescu prevents Martin from improving his position.
Niculescu with the ground and pound but Martin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Martin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Niculescu.
Martin has control of Niculescu's left arm, preventing Niculescu from doing any damage.
We've been hearing that Niculescu has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Niculescu throws a big right hand that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Constantin Niculescu will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Niculescu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Martin.
Niculescu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Swole Ricky Martin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martin misses with a wild body shot.
Niculescu tries to counter with a takedown but Martin is quick to defend against it.
Martin blocks a jab.
Martin throws a leg kick

and Niculescu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Martin moves into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Martin holds on and takes a little breather.
Niculescu throwing strikes from guard but Martin blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niculescu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu landing some decent shots from guard.
Niculescu lands a couple of elbows.
Martin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Martin working a defensive guard here.
Niculescu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Niculescu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Martin can't keep his opponent in guard - Niculescu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Niculescu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Martin can do to turn this around?
Niculescu is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Martin reverses the position - he's now on top in Niculescu's guard.
Niculescu looking for a sweep. Not yet Niculescu, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Martin has passed into side control.
Martin trying to control the action but Niculescu is working from the bottom.
Niculescu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Constantin Niculescu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Niculescu trying to remain calm as Martin controls from the top position.
Martin working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martin taking a breather here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Martin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Martin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Niculescu works the jab nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters circling - Niculescu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Niculescu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Martin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Niculescu was well out of range. Poor timing from Martin.
Swole Ricky Martin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Constantin Niculescu.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Niculescu, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Constantin Niculescu!
Constantin Niculescu was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.