PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Ortega (ranked 24071 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Lucas Ii (ranked 4156 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ortega
vs
Lucas Ii

216 cm
25
193 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Abdul Ortega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nick Lucas Ii!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ortega takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lucas Ii tries to close the distance and clinch but Ortega swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ortega was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ortega.
Lucas Ii connects with a solid leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ortega is defended easily by Lucas Ii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lucas Ii throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ortega tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lucas Ii is in Ortega's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortega controlling the position.
Lucas Ii is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ortega is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lucas Ii wants to pass the guard but Ortega is keeping the position.
Lucas Ii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ortega avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lucas Ii is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ortega is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Lucas Ii dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ortega is trying to control Lucas Ii's posture but Lucas Ii avoids it.
Ortega stops Lucas Ii from passing to mount.
Ortega really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ortega tries to improve position but can't.
Lucas Ii looks up at the clock and then as Ortega takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Lucas Ii smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortega is pushing Lucas Ii's head away, looking to escape. Lucas Ii manages to hold on to the position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Ortega. Those never looked like landing.
Ortega circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ortega counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Lucas Ii is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ortega's half guard.

Ortega pushes Lucas Ii off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Ortega lands.
Lucas Ii tries to clinch
enabling Ortega to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lucas Ii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Lucas Ii.
Lucas Ii looks winded!

Lucas Ii dives in and scores a takedown into Ortega's guard.
Ortega is pulling down on Lucas Ii's head to control his posture.
Ortega is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lucas Ii trying to control the position from guard on top but Ortega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lucas Ii dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice body kick there by Lucas Ii.

Lucas Ii closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ortega's guard.
Lucas Ii is fighting to break Ortega's control of his arms but Ortega is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Ortega is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ortega can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lucas Ii breaks the clinch.

Ortega gets caught flat footed, as Lucas Ii shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Ortega is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lucas Ii presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucas Ii is breathing heavily.
Ortega on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lucas Ii trying to stall but Ortega improves his position.
Lucas Ii looking to slow down the pace here.
Ortega keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lucas Ii's efforts to push away.

Lucas Ii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Abdul Ortega is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ortega lands with a slapping head kick.

Lucas Ii throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ortega tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lucas Ii is in Ortega's guard.

Ortega manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've been informed that Lucas Ii has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ortega wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ortega tries to break free but Lucas Ii pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lucas Ii has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ortega uses from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lucas Ii has momentary wrist control but Ortega slips an elbow through the middle.
Ortega is looking to work some ground and pound but Lucas Ii has wrist control.
Ortega trying to control the position from guard on top but Lucas Ii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ortega stands up and waves to Lucas Ii to follow him.
Lucas Ii pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Lucas Ii gets a double leg takedown into Ortega's guard.

Ortega is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Lucas Ii presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Ortega pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lucas Ii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ortega 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.

Ortega stands and steps away. Lucas Ii gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ortega misses with a head kick.
Lucas Ii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lucas Ii takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Abdul Ortega is winning the standup battle so far.

Lucas Ii shoots in and bounces Ortega off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Ortega uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortega shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lucas Ii but Lucas Ii pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lucas Ii is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lucas Ii looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Ortega manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Lucas Ii keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Lucas Ii blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ortega avoiding damage as Lucas Ii throws knees to the body.

Lucas Ii has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ortega uses from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Ortega dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Lucas Ii shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ortega is trying to defend but Lucas Ii finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Ortega makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Lucas Ii throws a head kick but Ortega moves out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ortega enables Lucas Ii to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ortega manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ortega is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lucas Ii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortega 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.
Lucas Ii wants to control from the top but Ortega keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ortega wants to get back to his feet but Lucas Ii is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ortega trying to keep a closed guard but Lucas Ii is proving a slippery customer.
Lucas Ii has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ortega is proving hard to escape from.
Ortega controlling the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lucas Ii trying to control but Ortega is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucas Ii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ortega appears to be looking for a big counter.

Lucas Ii shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ortega pulls Lucas Ii in to control the position.
Ortega is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lucas Ii is controlling him.
Ortega seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ortega's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ortega is looking to stand up but Lucas Ii isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lucas Ii cracks the inside of Ortega's front leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lucas Ii takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nick Lucas Ii.
I think Lucas Ii has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Lucas Ii!