PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Luciano (ranked 1243 p4p, 794 weight class) and Vlad Tepes Iii (ranked 183 p4p, 126 weight class). 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.

Luciano
vs
Tepes Iii

185 cm
33
190
17 - 12 - 0

180 cm
39
180
33 - 21 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Sakura Style
30th Century Beer Store

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antonio Luciano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vlad Tepes Iii!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano throws the left hand but Tepes Iii avoids the punch easily.
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Luciano misses with a right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tepes Iii.

Tepes Iii gets to his feet - Luciano follows without any prompting.
Luciano swings widly with a right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a single leg into guard. Luciano didn't expect that.
Luciano is looking to stand back up but Tepes Iii counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Luciano.

Luciano is trying to get back to full guard.

Tepes Iii decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Tepes Iii has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Luciano is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Vlad Tepes Iii has been cut.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Tepes Iii uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Tepes Iii counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tepes Iii.
Luciano pulls Tepes Iii in to control the position.
Luciano continues to stall.
Luciano wants to sweep here but Tepes Iii controlling him for the moment.
Luciano trying to keep a closed guard but Tepes Iii is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano looking for a sweep. Not yet Luciano, not yet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tepes Iii blocks a jab.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano throws a big shot that misses.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Luciano throws a shot from downtown. Tepes Iii moves away and avoids it.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Luciano misses with a right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a single leg into guard. Luciano didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano is trying to hold Tepes Iii in close to prevent damage but Tepes Iii has managed to pass into half guard.
Luciano tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Tepes Iii has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano tries to reverse the position but Tepes Iii maintains control.

Tepes Iii stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Luciano misses with a looping right.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tepes Iii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luciano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Luciano throws a hook but Tepes Iii blocks it.
Antonio Luciano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Luciano misses with a looping left.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Luciano throws a hook but Tepes Iii avoids it easily.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
A slow jab from Luciano misses its intended target.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed right hand from Luciano misses the target.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luciano looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Luciano misses with a hook.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano swings widly with a right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a takedown into side control.
Luciano wants to get back to his feet but Tepes Iii is dominant here and he's now got Luciano's back!
Tepes Iii trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Luciano doesn't escape.
Luciano tries to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Tepes Iii dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tepes Iii displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Luciano throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano scores with the left hand. Tepes Iii knows he should have avoided that one.
Tepes Iii moves out of range as Luciano strikes.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big left from Luciano misses.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Tepes Iii uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tepes Iii moves away from the strike by Luciano.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Tepes Iii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Tepes Iii's head but Tepes Iii sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tepes Iii uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Luciano.
Luciano misses with an uppercut

and Tepes Iii counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Luciano holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Tepes Iii stands up from half guard.
Luciano throws the left hand but Tepes Iii avoids the punch easily.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A jab from Luciano misses.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Tepes Iii keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luciano.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Tepes Iii slips under a jab from Luciano.
Luciano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tepes Iii.
Luciano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tepes Iii.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A left lands for Luciano.
Tepes Iii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tepes Iii ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
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!
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Luciano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tepes Iii uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Luciano.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed right hand from Luciano misses the target.
Antonio Luciano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tepes Iii takes one on the button.
A slow jab from Luciano misses its intended target.
Tepes Iii drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tepes Iii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Luciano throws a jab but it's blocked by Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii staying out of range there.
Luciano looks to land a left hand but Tepes Iii moved out of range nicely.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big left from Luciano misses.
Tepes Iii is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Tepes Iii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Vlad Tepes Iii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Luciano misses with a hook. Tepes Iii ducked under it nicely.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luciano throws a hook but Tepes Iii blocks it.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Antonio Luciano is winning the standup battle so far.
Tepes Iii keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luciano.
Tepes Iii ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Tepes Iii is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Luciano is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Luciano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tepes Iii can do to turn this around?
Luciano scores with a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Luciano throws an overhand right that lands on Tepes Iii's shoulder, as Tepes Iii tries to avoid the shot.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano loads up on a big right hand but Tepes Iii slips the punch.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii moves out of range as Luciano strikes.
Luciano misses with a looping right.
Luciano throws a jab when Tepes Iii was well out of range.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano misses with an uppercut. Tepes Iii saw that one coming.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano misses with a left hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Luciano!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luciano wants to control but Tepes Iii postures up.

Tepes Iii decides to stand back up. Tepes Iii steps back and let's Luciano get back to his feet.
Tepes Iii slips under a jab from Luciano.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Tepes Iii slips under a jab from Luciano.
And Tepes Iii tries to counter it with a takedown but Luciano pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Luciano misses with an uppercut. Tepes Iii saw that one coming.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Tepes Iii's head but Tepes Iii sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Luciano misses with a straight right.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Luciano dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Luciano throws a shot from downtown. Tepes Iii moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Luciano misses the target.
Luciano misses with a hook. Tepes Iii ducked under it nicely.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Tepes Iii slips under a jab from Luciano.
Luciano misses with a hook.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luciano misses with a left hand

so Tepes Iii counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tepes Iii won't allow Luciano to sweep him here.
Luciano is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tepes Iii stands up from Luciano's guard - Tepes Iii perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano throws a lazy uppercut

and Tepes Iii counters with a shoot takedown. Luciano fights it but they end up in guard.
Luciano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tepes Iii is one step ahead there.
Luciano is looking to sweep but instead, Tepes Iii has passed into half guard.

Tepes Iii stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Luciano throws a hook but Tepes Iii avoids it easily.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Tepes Iii moves out of range of the strikes.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Tepes Iii was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Tepes Iii moved out of range.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tepes Iii slips under a jab.
Luciano misses with a looping right.
Luciano throws an overhand right that lands on Tepes Iii's shoulder, as Tepes Iii tries to avoid the shot.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Luciano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Tepes Iii ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Tepes Iii moved out of range.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Luciano defends it well.
Tepes Iii staying out of range there.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano throws a jab but it's blocked by Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Tepes Iii moved out of range.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Tepes Iii moved out of range.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
Luciano throws a right hand that misses

and Tepes Iii counters with a takedown into side control.
Luciano tries to bench press Tepes Iii off him but Tepes Iii keeps the position.
Vlad Tepes Iii has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tepes Iii decides to stand back up. Tepes Iii steps back and let's Luciano get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Luciano misses with a looping left.
Luciano misses with a hook

and Tepes Iii counters with a nice double leg into side control. Luciano won't be happy with that.
Luciano tries to control but Tepes Iii manages to take his back.
Luciano can't escape the position.
Tepes Iii controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tepes Iii decides to stand up.
Tepes Iii ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano misses with a right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a shoot takedown. Luciano fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tepes Iii stopping the sweep attempt from Luciano.
Luciano trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Tepes Iii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tepes Iii 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Tepes Iii!
After winning the bout, Vlad Tepes Iii thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.