PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Lukaski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Laraque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lukaski comes to the cage accompanied by Amelie - J'y Suis Jamais Alle remix . We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lukaski
vs
Laraque

172 cm
24
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mamed Lukaski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Laraque!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lukaski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Laraque tries to avoid it but Lukaski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Laraque to the ground. Laraque escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Laraque throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lukaski tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Laraque is in Lukaski's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Laraque passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lukaski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Laraque wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Laraque is looking to take a break and control but Lukaski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Laraque wants to stand but Lukaski has his arm trapped.
Lukaski struggling a bit here.

Laraque is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lukaski knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukaski can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lukaski is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Laraque's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Lukaski has his hands clasped together around Laraque's back. He's all about the action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lukaski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lukaski controlling Laraque's posture.

Lukaski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Laraque can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Laraque trying to control the position from guard on top but Lukaski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukaski controlling the position.
Laraque preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukaski is trying to keep Laraque in close.

Lukaski is looking for a triangle but Laraque pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lukaski is on top in guard.
Lukaski stopping the sweep attempt from Laraque.
Lukaski content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lukaski might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lukaski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Laraque dives on top into guard.

Lukaski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Laraque must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lukaski is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lukaski keeping full guard, as Laraque tries to pass.
Laraque wants to control from the top but Lukaski keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Lukaski dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Lukaski or perhaps it was just good defense by Laraque which made him look bad.

Laraque closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Laraque is thwarting Lukaski's attempts to control the position.
Lukaski is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Laraque is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Lukaski is not content to let Laraque control the position.

Laraque is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laraque wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lukaski keeps working.
Laraque looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Laraque is looking to take a break and control but Lukaski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lukaski preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Mamed Lukaski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by George Laraque.
Laraque lands a head shot.
Lukaski could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Lukaski drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Lukaski sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lukaski looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mamed Lukaski wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Laraque lands a two punch combo.
George Laraque is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Laraque. No joy for Lukaski on that attempt.
George Laraque seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laraque slaps away a takedown attempt from Lukaski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mamed Lukaski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Laraque scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Lukaski is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laraque trying to control the action but Lukaski is working from the bottom.
Lukaski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lukaski tries to get to full guard but Laraque has control of the leg.
Lukaski is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Laraque jumps into side control!

Laraque is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lukaski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lukaski tries to bench press Laraque off him but Laraque keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Laraque showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A clash of legs there as Lukaski blocks the low kick.
Laraque tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lukaski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laraque is looking to clinch but Lukaski is avoiding it.
Lukaski shoots in but no luck this time.

Lukaski closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lukaski lands in his opponent's guard.
Lukaski passes into half guard.

Lukaski maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Laraque could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Lukaski has cracked it and Laraque is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Lukaski!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mamed Lukaski!
An out of breath Mamed Lukaski thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.