PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luka Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lee's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kung Fu Fighting. Velasquez has chosen California Waiting as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lee
vs
Velasquez

166 cm
23
148 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

168 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Likes ground

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Luka Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Junior Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez blocks a head kick by Lee.
Velasquez fails to land the takedown.

Lee clinches up with Velasquez and pushes him back against the cage.
Lee scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Lee on the inside.
Lee throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lee creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Velasquez wants a takedown but no success here.
Lee lands an elbow inside that Velasquez shrugs off.
Velasquez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Lee.
Velasquez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Velasquez jumps guard but Lee stands there with Velasquez around his waist. Velasquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Luka Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Velasquez.
Lee lands a nice knee to the body.
Velasquez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lee avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Velasquez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lee connects with a nasty looking knee right to Velasquez's face.
Lee lands an elbow that stopped Velasquez in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Lee.
Lee unloads a knee to the mid-section. Velasquez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Velasquez looks gassed!
Velasquez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lee throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Velasquez blocks it with crossed arms.
Lee lands a damaging elbow.
Lee lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee landing knees to the body.
Lee lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lee lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Lee lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Velasquez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Velasquez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lee lands a left hand that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Lee gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lee.
Lee with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lee lands an uppercut.
Lee lands a knee to the head.
Lee lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lee unloads a knee to the mid-section. Velasquez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lee lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Velasquez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Velasquez takes an elbow to the temple.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short uppercut from Lee.
Nice body punch from Lee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee lands a body punch.
Lee lands an elbow that stopped Velasquez in his tracks for a moment.
Lee lands a damaging elbow.
Velasquez jumps guard but Lee stands there with Velasquez around his waist. Velasquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Velasquez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lee misses with a knee to the head.
Lee crunches a lovely knee into Velasquez's ribcage.
Lee prevents Velasquez from breaking the clinch.
Velasquez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lee landing knees to the body.

Velasquez has clasped his hands together around Lee's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Lee is looking to regain half guard here but Velasquez keeps moving and retains side control.
Lee misses with a strike from the bottom.
Lee takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lee is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez decides to stand back up. Velasquez steps back and let's Lee get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Lee. No joy for Velasquez on that attempt.

Lee forces Velasquez back against the cage and clinches.
Velasquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lee has him pressed against the cage.
Lee landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lee using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Velasquez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but Lee won't allow it.
Lee landing knees to the body.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Lee scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lee misses with a short punch on the inside.
Velasquez tries to break the clinch but Lee is controlling the position.

Velasquez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lee misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Lee is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lee tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Lee regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lee striking off his back but it's not causing Velasquez any problems.
Lee wants to stand but Velasquez is controlling the position.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Lee has wrist control.

Velasquez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lee, up you get!
A head kick by Velasquez misses

and Lee moves into the clinch.
Velasquez can't break the clinch.
Velasquez stalling in the clinch but Lee improves position.

Velasquez successfully pulls guard.

Velasquez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velasquez controls Lee momentarily but Lee frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Lee dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck for Velasquez with that takedown attempt.
Luka Lee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lee is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lee lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lee.
Velasquez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Velasquez fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lee just stands there and leans against the cage.
Luka Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Velasquez.
Velasquez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Velasquez wants to break free but Lee has control.
Lee digs a right hand into Velasquez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Velasquez's gas tank.
Velasquez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee scores a nice knee to the body.
Lee lands with a light punch inside.
Lee lands a knee to the head.
Lee lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lee lands a nice knee to the body.

Velasquez pulls Lee into guard.

Velasquez is looking for a triangle but Lee pushes his legs off easily.
Velasquez wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lee accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Velasquez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Velasquez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lee landing knees to the head.
Lee lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lee throws a knee to the head but misses.
Velasquez wants to get back to striking at distance but Lee won't allow it.
Lee misses with a knee to the head.
Lee stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez blocks an elbow strike from Lee.
Velasquez jumps guard but Lee stands there with Velasquez around his waist. Velasquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
Lee tries a knee to the head but Velasquez blocks it.
Lee lands a body shot in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Lee.
Lee using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Velasquez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Velasquez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Lee manages to get underhooks.
Velasquez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lee landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee lands a nice knee to the body.
Velasquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lee walks away with a smile on his face. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Velasquez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Velasquez scores with the left hand. Lee knows he should have avoided that one.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Velasquez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lee thuds his right hand into Velasquez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Velasquez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lee counters with a single leg into guard. Velasquez didn't expect that.
Lee preventing the sweep.
Velasquez trying to keep a closed guard but Lee is proving a slippery customer.
Lee has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Velasquez is working an open guard so Lee takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Velasquez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lee counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Velasquez trying to stall but Lee improves his position.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but Lee holds him up against the cage and eventually Velasquez drops back down to his feet.
Lee lands a knee to the body.
Lee lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Velasquez or not.
Velasquez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lee using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lee lands a knee to the body.
Lee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Velasquez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Velasquez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lee lands a body punch in the clinch.
Velasquez looking to slow down the pace here.
Lee with a knee to the head.
Velasquez fails to pull guard.
Lee connects with a nasty looking knee right to Velasquez's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Lee dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Velasquez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lee plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Velasquez throws a hook but Lee avoids it easily.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Lee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Lee fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Velasquez, pushing him back against the cage.
Lee lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lee connects with a nasty looking knee right to Velasquez's face.
Velasquez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Luka Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Velasquez.
Velasquez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lee smiles and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lee is looking to clinch.

Velasquez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lee pushes Velasquez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Velasquez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez blocks the strikes from Lee.

Velasquez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lee is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lee pushes Velasquez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Velasquez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lee taking punishment in the form of punches.
Lee is pushing Velasquez's head away, looking to escape. Velasquez manages to hold on to the position though.

Velasquez stands up and beckons Lee to his feet.
Velasquez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lee throws a sloppy head kick and Velasquez moves out of range easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velasquez.

Lee rushes Velasquez and presses him up against the cage.
Lee lands a damaging elbow.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but Lee won't allow it.
A knee to the head by Lee.
Velasquez tries to stall but Lee uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Velasquez tries to pull guard but Lee won't allow it.
Velasquez is trying to maintain a safe position but Lee gets an underhook and turns Velasquez into the cage.
Velasquez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lee pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Lee tries a knee to the head but Velasquez blocks it.
Lee works on Velasquez's body with a couple of short punches.
Velasquez tries to score a body lock takedown but Lee shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Velasquez jumps guard but Lee stands there with Velasquez around his waist. Velasquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Velasquez pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lee gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Velasquez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lee's guard.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velasquez postures up in Lee's guard and throws a big left but Lee blocks it.
Velasquez prevents Lee from getting back to his feet.

Lee looking for a guillotine here but Velasquez defends easily.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Velasquez postures up and lands a big shot to Lee's brow.
Velasquez landing with the ground and pound.
Velasquez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Velasquez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Lee.
Lee moves in looking to clinch but Velasquez pushes him off.
Velasquez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lee's waist but Lee gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velasquez off to one side.
Velasquez misses with a takedown attempt - Lee sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Lee has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Luka Lee.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lee, 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight for Luka Lee!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Luka Lee!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Luka Lee!

Luka Lee wins by unanimous decision!