PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Luchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DeMarco Mariano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DeMarco Mariano is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Luchenko
vs
Mariano

189 cm
25
263 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
23
227 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sergei Luchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeMarco Mariano!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luchenko has a takedown stuffed.
Luchenko throws a push kick but Mariano slaps the foot to one side.
Luchenko tries to clinch up but Mariano circles away and keeps his distance.
Mariano circles away from the clinch attempt.

Mariano scores a takedown into full mount!

Luchenko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mariano.
Luchenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Mariano has a good base and remains in mount.
Luchenko regains half guard.
Mariano wants to take a breather but Luchenko is having none of it.
Mariano wants to pass the guard but Luchenko is defending well.
Luchenko tries to roll over but Mariano keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luchenko is trying to maintain the position but Mariano is very close to passing his half guard.

Mariano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mariano is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mariano stops Luchenko from getting back to his feet.
Mariano looks to land a strike but Luchenko avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Luchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Luchenko with a poor takedown

and Mariano counters with a single leg into guard. Luchenko didn't expect that.
Mariano distracts Luchenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariano trying to control but Luchenko is working from the bottom.
Luchenko could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Luchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Luchenko has a closed guard, preventing Mariano from standing up.
Luchenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Luchenko looking to control.
Mariano trying to control but Luchenko is working from the bottom.
Luchenko trying to control the position.
Luchenko wants to sweep here but Mariano controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A head kick by Luchenko misses

and Mariano counters with a shoot takedown. Luchenko fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mariano gets to his feet. Luchenko looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mariano looks gassed!
Luchenko misses with a takedown attempt

and Mariano counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Luchenko!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Luchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mariano goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Luchenko turns into him and now he's in Mariano's guard.
Luchenko passes into half guard.
Mariano wants to control but Luchenko is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko is controlling the pace.
Mariano has hold of Luchenko's hands but Luchenko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Luchenko prevents Mariano from standing back up.
Luchenko is trying to control. Mariano wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Luchenko seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DeMarco Mariano dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Luchenko tries for a takedown but Mariano circles away easily

and Mariano holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Luchenko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Luchenko has Mariano pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mariano manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Mariano pulls guard effortlessly.
Mariano looking for a sweep. Not yet Mariano, not yet.
Luchenko wants to control from the top but Mariano keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luchenko landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Luchenko trying to control but Mariano is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sergei Luchenko.
Luchenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mariano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Luchenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mariano sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Luchenko somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Luchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luchenko shoots and misses

and Mariano counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Luchenko actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mariano looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mariano thows a huge punch but Luchenko dodges it nicely.
Luchenko manages to get to full guard.
Luchenko wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Luchenko throws a head kick that misses.
Luchenko misses with a takedown

and Mariano counters with a shoot takedown. Luchenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Mariano trying to control the position from guard on top but Luchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mariano has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Luchenko is proving hard to escape from.
Luchenko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Luchenko is looking to take a break and control but Mariano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mariano is trying to control but Luchenko manages to pass to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DeMarco Mariano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mariano doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Luchenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Luchenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Luchenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Luchenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Luchenko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Luchenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mariano walks away with a smile on his face. Luchenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mariano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Luchenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Mariano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Luchenko closes the distance but Mariano moves to the side

and Mariano counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mariano postures up.
Luchenko keeping moving, preventing Mariano from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mariano got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luchenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mariano has managed to get both his arms back between Luchenko's legs - danger averted.
Luchenko is looking to stand up but Mariano isn't so interested in that idea.
Luchenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Luchenko is working an open guard so Mariano takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Mariano rushes Luchenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mariano goes for a takedown attempt but Luchenko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Luchenko clinches but Mariano breaks the clinch

and Mariano counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Luchenko!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko is in all sorts of trouble here.
BOOM! Mariano connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Mariano swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Luchenko is now in Mariano's guard. A big mistake from Mariano there, giving up the dominant position!
Luchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Mariano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Mariano is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luchenko trying to control but Mariano is working from the bottom.
Luchenko is really struggling to control Mariano but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Luchenko wants to get up but he can't break Mariano's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mariano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Luchenko as he avoids it easily.
Sergei Luchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DeMarco Mariano.
Luchenko with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mariano counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Luchenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mariano!
Luchenko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
DeMarco Mariano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Luchenko tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Luchenko jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Mariano is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Mariano and Luchenko has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

And that's the end of the fight!
DeMarco Mariano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mariano winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DeMarco Mariano!