PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Luongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamus O Hooligan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luongo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Alexisonfire - The Northern. O Hooligan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Shipping out to Boston - Dropkick Murphy. Shamus O Hooligan told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Luongo
vs
O Hooligan

185 cm
19
170 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francesco Luongo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shamus O Hooligan!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
O Hooligan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Luongo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for O Hooligan!
O Hooligan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
O Hooligan has given up his back here. Will Luongo look for the submission or keep pounding away?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Luongo working for a choke but O Hooligan is defending well.

Luongo looking for the RNC.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
O Hooligan can't escape the position.

O Hooligan fending off the submission attempt from Luongo.
O Hooligan turns into Luongo and is now in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

O Hooligan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
O Hooligan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Luongo managing to control the position.
Luongo wants to sweep here but O Hooligan controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
O Hooligan tries to free his leg and advance position but Luongo is retaining full guard.

Luongo looking for a guillotine here but O Hooligan defends easily.
Luongo is pulling down on O Hooligan's head to control his posture.

Luongo pushes O Hooligan off and scrambles back to his feet.
O Hooligan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Luongo counters with a shoot takedown. O Hooligan fights it but they end up in guard.
Luongo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Luongo forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Luongo wants to work for an arm triangle but O Hooligan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Luongo is breathing heavily.

O Hooligan is defending against the submission attempts here by Luongo.
O Hooligan is not content to let Luongo control the position.
O Hooligan tries to roll over but Luongo keeps him under control.

Luongo is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, O Hooligan has managed to free his arm - good work.
Luongo wants to take a breather but O Hooligan is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

O Hooligan is defending against the submission attempts here by Luongo.
O Hooligan is looking for a sweep. Luongo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Luongo fails with the takedown.
O Hooligan misses with a takedown

and Luongo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
O Hooligan wants to sweep but no luck.
Luongo tries to free his leg and advance position but O Hooligan is retaining full guard.
Luongo passes into half guard.
Luongo is keen to just control but O Hooligan is a slippery customer.
O Hooligan is pressing down on Luongo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Luongo tries to free his leg and advance position but O Hooligan is retaining full guard.
Luongo is working hard here to advance position.

O Hooligan looking for a guillotine here but Luongo defends easily.
Luongo stopping the sweep attempt from O Hooligan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luongo wants to control from the top but O Hooligan keeps moving.
Luongo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. O Hooligan is keeping the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
O Hooligan doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Luongo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Francesco Luongo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamus O Hooligan.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Luongo in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. O Hooligan tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Luongo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Francesco Luongo!
Francesco Luongo retains his welterweight title!