PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Luzhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Naoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luzhin comes into the arena with Toccata and Fugue blaring out of the sound system. Takeshi Naoki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Luzhin
vs
Naoki

181 cm
24
174 lbs
9 - 1 - 1

182 cm
25
179 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Hellbent
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Luzhin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeshi Naoki!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Luzhin finds it's target.

It looks like Takeshi Naoki has been cut.
A low kick from Luzhin misses

and Naoki counters with a single leg into guard. Luzhin didn't expect that.
Luzhin working a defensive guard but Naoki passes into half guard.
Naoki wants to pass the guard but Luzhin is defending well.
Naoki trying to advance position but Luzhin counters by regaining guard.
Naoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Naoki trying to control but Luzhin is working from the bottom.
Naoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Luzhin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki preventing the sweep.
Naoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Luzhin is retaining full guard.
Luzhin trying to keep a closed guard but Naoki is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Luzhin wants to clinch.
Naoki scores with a kick to the body.
Naoki lands the left hand.
Luzhin throws a hook to the side of Naoki's head but Naoki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luzhin tries to clinch but Naoki moves away
and Naoki counters with a straight right hand.
Nikolai Luzhin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luzhin throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Luzhin does no damage.
Luzhin fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Naoki is out of range.
A big right from Luzhin misses.
A slow jab from Luzhin misses its intended target.
Luzhin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luzhin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Luzhin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Naoki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Luzhin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Luzhin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Luzhin throws a lazy head kick

so Naoki counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Naoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naoki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Naoki wants to control but Luzhin is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naoki throws a strike aimed at the side of Luzhin's head but Luzhin avoids it well.
Naoki throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Luzhin works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Naoki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Naoki connects with a nice short shot to Luzhin's temple.
Naoki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Naoki is looking to take a break and control but Luzhin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Luzhin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Naoki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Luzhin is on top in guard.

Luzhin wants to pass the guard but Naoki is keeping the position.
Luzhin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Naoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Naoki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Luzhin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Naoki's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Naoki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Takeshi Naoki's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Naoki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Luzhin won't allow Naoki to pass to mount.
Naoki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Naoki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Naoki is controlling the pace.
Naoki trying to pass the guard but Luzhin defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luzhin is looking to control Naoki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Luzhin avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki is keen to just control but Luzhin is a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Naoki thows a huge punch but Luzhin dodges it nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Luzhin scores with a hook to the body. Naoki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Naoki closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Luzhin quickly recovers to half guard.
Luzhin has hold of Naoki's hands but Naoki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Luzhin trying to control here.
Naoki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin keeping control of the position.
Naoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Luzhin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Luzhin works Naoki's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin tries to clinch but Naoki moves out of range.
A jab from Naoki misses.
Naoki avoids the head kick by Luzhin.
Luzhin throws a jab but it's blocked by Naoki.
Naoki dives in and grabs Luzhin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Luzhin pushes down on Naoki's head and hops out.
Luzhin scores with a hook.
Luzhin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Luzhin is looking to clinch but Naoki is avoiding it.
Luzhin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nikolai Luzhin is winning the standup battle so far.
Naoki looks for a takedown but Luzhin sprawls well.

Naoki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
An elbow from Naoki crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naoki working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Naoki working the ground and pound but Luzhin is defending the strikes.
Naoki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Luzhin some visible discomfort.
Takeshi Naoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Luzhin dodges the ground and pound from Naoki.
Luzhin is trying to escape the position but Naoki is controlling the position.
Luzhin regains half guard, as Naoki was trying to land strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Naoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Luzhin keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Naoki drops an elbow to the side of Luzhin's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Naoki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Takeshi Naoki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Luzhin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Naoki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Naoki misses with a hook.
Naoki lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Luzhin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naoki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Naoki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Naoki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Naoki misses the target.
Luzhin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Naoki defending well as Luzhin loads up on a big left hand.
Luzhin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Luzhin misses with a body kick.
Luzhin misses with a left hand

and Naoki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naoki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luzhin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Naoki.
Naoki sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Naoki trying to control from half guard but Luzhin is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Naoki is pressing down on Luzhin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Luzhin is holding on for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Naoki throws a jab when Luzhin was well out of range.
Luzhin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Naoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Luzhin.
Naoki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Luzhin.
Luzhin throws a sloppy body shot

and Naoki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Luzhin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Naoki.
Naoki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Naoki lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Naoki working Luzhin over with strikes.
Naoki wants to control but Luzhin is keeping him busy.

Naoki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Luzhin defends it well.
Naoki trying to pass the guard but Luzhin defending well.
Luzhin is looking to improve his position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Naoki is looking to take a break and control but Luzhin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Luzhin throws a looping overhand right but Naoki ducks down to avoid it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Luzhin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Naoki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Naoki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Naoki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Luzhin to score with a decent uppercut.
Luzhin connects with a nice looking jab.

That has opened up Takeshi Naoki's cut even more.
Naoki throws a series of strikes that have Luzhin backpedaling.
A head kick by Luzhin misses

and Naoki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Naoki trying to control but Luzhin is working from the bottom.
Naoki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Naoki really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Takeshi Naoki's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Good shot there by Luzhin.
Luzhin throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Naoki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Naoki thows a huge punch but Luzhin dodges it nicely.
Naoki wants to pass to mount but Luzhin is defending the position.
Luzhin is staying active underneath Naoki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Luzhin is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naoki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Naoki trying to control from Luzhin's half guard. Luzhin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Naoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Luzhin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki throwing strikes from guard but Luzhin blocks nicely.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Luzhin wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Naoki checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Luzhin throws a body shot but no joy.
Luzhin misses the jab.
A good leg kick by Naoki.
Nikolai Luzhin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Luzhin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Luzhin lunges at Naoki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Naoki's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Naoki.
Luzhin lands the left hand.
Naoki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Naoki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Luzhin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Naoki tries for a takedown but Luzhin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Naoki lands a really nice looking cross but Luzhin seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luzhin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Naoki manages to avoid it.
Luzhin misses with a left hand

and Naoki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Naoki passes into half guard.
Luzhin trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Naoki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Naoki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Naoki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Naoki is pressing down on Luzhin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Luzhin is holding on for now.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Luzhin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Naoki is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Naoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Luzhin is not content to let Naoki control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Luzhin moves into the clinch.
Luzhin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Naoki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Naoki misses with a punch to the body.
Luzhin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Luzhin with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Naoki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Naoki digs a right hand into Luzhin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Luzhin's gas tank.
Luzhin misses with a hook from the clinch.

Naoki has clasped his hands together around Luzhin's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Naoki dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Takeshi Naoki's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Luzhin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Naoki to counter with a crisp jab.
Naoki checks a leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Luzhin.
Naoki lands a leg kick that knocks Luzhin off balance momentarily.
A head kick by Luzhin misses
and Naoki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luzhin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Naoki.
Naoki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luzhin.
Naoki stuns Luzhin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Luzhin's corner calls for a 1-2. Luzhin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naoki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Luzhin slips a straight right by Naoki.
Luzhin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A low kick from Luzhin is predictable there
and Luzhin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naoki connects with a crisp jab.
Naoki checks a leg kick.
Luzhin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Luzhin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Naoki counters with a body kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Luzhin misses with a right hand

and Naoki decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Luzhin's guard.
Luzhin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Naoki is one step ahead there.
Naoki looking to sit in guard and control but Luzhin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Naoki wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Naoki's guard.
Luzhin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Naoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Luzhin wants to stand but Naoki is controlling his posture from full guard.
Luzhin wants to stand and escape but instead Naoki has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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!
Luzhin tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin is controlling Naoki's posture.
Naoki wants to control from the top but Luzhin keeps moving.
Luzhin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Luzhin holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Luzhin throws a lazy right hand but Naoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Naoki. Luzhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Naoki lands a nice shot that snaps Luzhin's head back.
Luzhin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Good work by Luzhin as he checks the leg kick.

Naoki shoots in and bounces Luzhin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Takeshi Naoki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Naoki controlling from the top position.
Luzhin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeshi Naoki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Naoki 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeshi Naoki!
Takeshi Naoki is the new welterweight champion!
After the fight, Takeshi Naoki was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.