PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Norberto Lancaster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeroen Maeremans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lancaster
vs
Maeremans

190 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Norberto Lancaster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jeroen Maeremans!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maeremans throws a head kick that misses
letting Lancaster counter with a right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Maeremans.
Maeremans working away.
The strikes coming from Maeremans are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lancaster prevents Maeremans from moving into mount.

Maeremans decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Maeremans shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Maeremans was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lancaster is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Maeremans's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
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!
Lancaster wants to sweep but Maeremans has passed to side control!
Maeremans has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Maeremans is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lancaster has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Lancaster is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Maeremans is looking to stall here but Lancaster recovers full guard.
Maeremans controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lancaster not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is striking but Maeremans is not phased and passes to half guard.
Lancaster trying to control from the bottom.
Maeremans passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maeremans content just to control the position here.
Lancaster is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeremans throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lancaster because Maeremans loaded up on that one.
Maeremans takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Maeremans is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lancaster has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maeremans with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lancaster is squirming around, avoiding Maeremans's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Maeremans misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Maeremans working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Lancaster slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Maeremans moves into full mount! Lancaster won't be happy about that!
Lancaster has given up his back here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lancaster defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Maeremans's arms.

Maeremans working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Maeremans dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maeremans shoots in and gets a takedown into Lancaster's guard.

Lancaster working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maeremans doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maeremans manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maeremans trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maeremans throwing strikes but missing.
Maeremans is looking to work some ground and pound but Lancaster has wrist control.
Lancaster is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maeremans tries to free his leg and advance position but Lancaster is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lancaster is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lancaster really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lancaster tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maeremans trying to control the position from guard on top but Lancaster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maeremans gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Lancaster gets tackled into the cage by Maeremans. Maeremans maintains the clinch.
Lancaster tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maeremans smiles and moves away.

Maeremans closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maeremans stands up and beckons Lancaster to his feet.

Maeremans looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maeremans stands up and waves to Lancaster to follow him.
Lancaster throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Maeremans closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeremans stalling against the cage.

Maeremans gets control of Lancaster's arms and successfully pulls guard. Maeremans will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Lancaster stands up over Maeremans, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maeremans pulls Lancaster in to control the position.

Lancaster got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maeremans has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lancaster has managed to get both his arms back between Maeremans's legs - danger averted.

Maeremans has his foot on Lancaster's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lancaster works his way back into a safe position though.
Lancaster with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lancaster missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lancaster wanted to stand there but Maeremans had control of the position.
Maeremans has Lancaster pulled in close to control his posture.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lancaster's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maeremans is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lancaster content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Maeremans 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!

Maeremans lands a glancing blow to the side of Lancaster's head.

Maeremans has Lancaster up against the cage in a clinch.
Lancaster is working for takedown but Maeremans is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lancaster drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maeremans pulls his leg out and moves away.

Maeremans takes the fight into the clinch.

Maeremans gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maeremans is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lancaster has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lancaster misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Lancaster looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maeremans is controlling the pace.

Maeremans decides to return to a standing position.
Jeroen Maeremans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lancaster blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maeremans drives through and clinches with Lancaster against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Maeremans's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Maeremans manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Maeremans is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Maeremans throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lancaster escapes and throws Maeremans's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Lancaster tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Lancaster misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster working away.
Maeremans is looking to regain half guard here but Lancaster keeps moving and retains side control.
Lancaster throwing strikes but Maeremans manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Lancaster is not content to let Maeremans control the position.
Lancaster throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Maeremans tries for a kimura but Lancaster is defending well.
Maeremans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is not content to let Maeremans control the position.
The strikes coming from Maeremans are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Maeremans cracks Lancaster with a big right hand but Lancaster just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Lancaster is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeroen Maeremans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Maeremans has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeroen Maeremans!