PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Wickleby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostya La Motta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Wickleby
vs
La Motta

173 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

TAKEDOWN ©

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 Sydney, Ray Wickleby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kostya La Motta!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Motta is looking to clinch but Wickleby is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from La Motta.
La Motta throws a one two combo.
La Motta throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
La Motta looks for the body kick but Wickleby saw that one coming.
Wickleby uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by La Motta.
La Motta misses with a head kick.
Wickleby stuffs the takedown.
Wickleby uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from La Motta.
La Motta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from La Motta.
La Motta throws a shot from downtown. Wickleby moves away and avoids it.
Wickleby throws a series of punches but La Motta moves out of range.
Kostya La Motta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from La Motta.
Wickleby circles away from the clinch attempt.
La Motta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wickleby.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Motta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wickleby swats him away and circles back towards the center.
La Motta tries to clinch but Wickleby moves out of range.
La Motta displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wickleby throws out the jab.
La Motta tries to close the distance and clinch but Wickleby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
La Motta doesn't manage to clinch there - Wickleby circles away.
La Motta scores with a jab to the jaw.
La Motta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wickleby tries to avoid it but La Motta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wickleby to the ground. Wickleby escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick misses from La Motta.
La Motta swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Left hook, right uppercut from La Motta.
Wickleby tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and La Motta is able to avoid easily.
Wickleby avoids the head kick by La Motta.
La Motta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby throws an overhand right that lands on La Motta's shoulder, as La Motta tries to avoid the shot.
Wickleby throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
La Motta lands a nice shot that snaps Wickleby's head back.
La Motta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
La Motta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wickleby.
Wickleby swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wickleby attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Wickleby looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
La Motta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wickleby is controlling him.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but La Motta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
La Motta looking to control but Wickleby passes into half guard.
La Motta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wickleby. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby is trying to control. La Motta wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wickleby slips a nice elbow through La Motta's hands, connecting with La Motta's forehead.
Wickleby working over La Motta with some ground and pound. La Motta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Wickleby lands a nice short elbow.
La Motta has hold of Wickleby's hands but Wickleby slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
La Motta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wickleby landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Wickleby there.
Wickleby not doing much here.
Wickleby scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
La Motta on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wickleby landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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!
La Motta is not content to let Wickleby control the position.
Wickleby 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.
La Motta taking some punishment here, with Wickleby in his half guard.
Wickleby is trying to control the action in half guard but La Motta is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wickleby is figuring out what he wants to do next.
La Motta trying to hold on to Wickleby's head to control him but Wickleby postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wickleby looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

La Motta throws a right hand that Wickleby ducks under and follows up with a left that Wickleby also avoids with ease.

Wickleby fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. La Motta sprawls well initially but Wickleby persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wickleby looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks La Motta with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wickleby lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
La Motta wants to get back to his feet.
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. Wickleby connects with a nice short shot to La Motta's temple.
Wickleby drops an elbow to the side of La Motta's head.
La Motta wants to get back to his feet.
Wickleby takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wickleby slips a nice elbow through La Motta's hands, connecting with La Motta's forehead.
La Motta is trying to stand back up but Wickleby is controlling him
Wickleby working over La Motta with some ground and pound. La Motta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wickleby looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks La Motta with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wickleby lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ray Wickleby overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
La Motta is trying to stand.
Wickleby slips a nice elbow through La Motta's hands, connecting with La Motta's forehead.
Wickleby slips a nice elbow through La Motta's hands, connecting with La Motta's forehead.
Wickleby prevents La Motta from standing back up.
La Motta is breathing heavily.
La Motta has hold of Wickleby's hands but Wickleby slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby 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.
Nice strikes from Wickleby there.
Wickleby 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.
La Motta is trying to stand up here but Wickleby is controlling him well.
La Motta is looking to improve his position.
Wickleby landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
La Motta is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wickleby scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wickleby lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
La Motta looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Motta has hold of Wickleby's hands but Wickleby slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Wickleby 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.
Wickleby lands with a punch from half guard.
Wickleby passes to side control.
Wickleby is chipping away with strikes.
La Motta tries to improve position but can't.
La Motta takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Wickleby is working La Motta over with some ground and pound from side control.
Wickleby scores with punches from side control.
Wickleby lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear La Motta down.
Wickleby working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Motta is working to avoid the ground and pound but Wickleby connects with a decent elbow.
Wickleby landing a few strikes.
Wickleby lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
La Motta is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Wickleby has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Wickleby is putting a hurting on La Motta here, landing some big shots from side control.
Wickleby scoring with punches and elbows.
Check out the look on Wickleby's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
La Motta wants to get back to his feet but Wickleby drags him back down.
Wickleby has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wickleby cracks La Motta with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Wickleby scoring with punches and elbows.
Wickleby grinds an elbow into La Motta's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby 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!

La Motta defending well as Wickleby loads up on a big left hand.
La Motta throws a left and a right that both miss

and Wickleby counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wickleby working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of La Motta's head.
Wickleby working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wickleby cracks La Motta with a solid left hand.
La Motta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wickleby is controlling him.
Wickleby works over La Motta with some ground and pound from guard.
Wickleby chips away with some ground and pound.
Wickleby connects with a couple of short punches.
Wickleby scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
La Motta wants to stand up but Wickleby is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wickleby postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wickleby stands and throws La Motta's legs to the side, diving into side control.
La Motta is looking for a sweep.
Wickleby lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear La Motta down.
La Motta is being controlled here.
Wickleby prevents La Motta from escaping the position.
Wickleby connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused La Motta some visible discomfort.
La Motta gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Wickleby looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wickleby with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Wickleby cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
La Motta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
La Motta tries to lock up and control but Wickleby gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Wickleby lands a big shot there that rocks La Motta but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Wickleby scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish La Motta?
Wickleby is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. La Motta can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wickleby scoring with strikes but La Motta is staying in there.
Wickleby with shots to the head and body - La Motta looks very uncomfortable down there.

La Motta is rocked!
La Motta is looking to improve his position but Wickleby isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wickleby lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Wickleby putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
La Motta working to try and regain half guard.
Wickleby scoring with strikes but La Motta is staying in there.
La Motta is looking to improve his position but Wickleby isn't that keen on the idea.
La Motta is squirming around, avoiding Wickleby's attempts to control the action.
Wickleby with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Motta is trying to stand.
Wickleby fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wickleby is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. La Motta can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wickleby scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish La Motta?
La Motta is still in real trouble! Can Wickleby finish him?
Wickleby unloading with bombs!
Wickleby landing shots from mount.
Kostya La Motta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
La Motta seems to have recovered his senses.
Wickleby cracks La Motta with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Wickleby lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wickleby lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
La Motta can't escape the position.
Wickleby landing punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Wickleby showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wickleby, 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:25
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:25
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Wickleby!