PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jay Ricji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aj Lugue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jay Ricji has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ricji
vs
Lugue

175 cm
23
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jay Ricji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aj Lugue!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lugue shoots in for a double leg but Ricji sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ricji throws a head kick that misses.
Lugue fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lugue takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ricji throws a one two combo.
Ricji scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lugue shoots in but Ricji avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jay Ricji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aj Lugue.
Lugue tries to clinch up but Ricji circles away and keeps his distance.
Lugue misses with a leg kick
and Ricji counters with a nice uppercut.

Ricji forces Lugue back against the cage and clinches.
Ricji tries to break the clinch but Lugue is controlling the position.
Ricji blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Ricji escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lugue walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jay Ricji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricji just misses with a punch to the body.

Lugue has managed to clinch.
Lugue tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ricji smiles and moves away.
Lugue tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ricji sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lugue somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Ricji misses.
Ricji thumps Lugue with a low kick.
Lugue with a poor takedown
and Ricji counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ricji scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Ricji moves into range and clinches up with Lugue.

Ricji manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Ricji.
Ricji scores with a decent looking hook.
Ricji misses with a two punch combination.
Ricji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ricji scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lugue has a takedown stuffed.
Ricji moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricji lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ricji scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ricji throws a head kick that half lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ricji, as that shot connected.
Ricji changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lugue shoots in looking for a takedown. Ricji tries to sprawl out of it but Lugue keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ricji manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lugue looks gassed!
Lugue with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ricji to score with a decent uppercut.
Ricji throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ricji avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ricji throws a head kick but Lugue moves out of range.
Ricji with a jab.
Lugue throws a lazy head kick
and Ricji makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ricji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lugue was well out of range. Poor timing from Ricji.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricji's corner calls for a 1-2. Ricji obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lugue takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ricji lands a two punch combo.
A head kick misses from Ricji.
No joy there for Ricji, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ricji throws a sloppy head kick and Lugue moves out of range easily.
Ricji chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lugue shoots in for a takedown but Ricji shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ricji will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ricji with a hook.
Ricji thumps Lugue with a low kick.
Ricji catches Lugue with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ricji rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lugue moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ricji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ricji throws a nice looking combination but Lugue bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ricji scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricji misses with a wild combination.
Lugue misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ricji scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lugue is trying desperately to land a takedown but Ricji is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Lugue.
Nice takedown defense from Ricji. No joy for Lugue on that attempt.
Ricji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lugue looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ricji lands with a kick to the temple. Lugue shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricji throws a nice looking combination but Lugue bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ricji lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ricji throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Lugue holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ricji manages to break the clinch.
Ricji connects with a high kick.
Ricji fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ricji connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Ricji dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A right-left combo lands from Ricji.
Nice sprawl there from Ricji as Lugue shoots in.
Ricji displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lugue.
Ricji tests Lugue's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lugue has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Lugue shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ricji pinned against the cage. Ricji gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jay Ricji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aj Lugue.
Ricji throws a right and a left that Lugue avoids nicely.
Ricji misses with a two punch combination.
A nice combination there by Ricji.
A low kick from Lugue misses
and Ricji counters with a nice uppercut.
Lugue shoots and misses
and Ricji cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lugue is breathing heavily.
Lugue doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ricji counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ricji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jay Ricji is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ricji lands with a slapping head kick.

Lugue closes the distance and pushes Ricji back into the cage.

Ricji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lugue avoids the head kick by Ricji.
Lugue blocks a head kick by Ricji.
Nice jab there from Ricji.
Ricji looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lugue closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ricji counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lugue thinking.
Lugue throws a sloppy body shot
and Ricji counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Ricji tries a head kick but it misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Lugue scores with a four punch combination!
Ricji scores with a head kick.
Crunch! Ricji slams his shin into Lugue's torso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricji works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lugue has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lugue there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ricji throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lugue's head.
Ricji scores with a three punch combo!
Lugue is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ricji.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ricji lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lugue clinches but Ricji breaks the clinch
and Ricji counters with a left to the body.
Ricji throws a head kick but Lugue moves out of range.
Ricji throws a head kick that Lugue semi-blocks.
Lugue shoots in and drives through. Ricji sprawls well.
Lugue takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ricji lands a jab.
Ricji scores with a hook to the body. Lugue takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ricji lands a high kick!
Ricji scores with a three punch combo!
Jab by Ricji.

Ricji moves into the clinch.

Ricji breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lugue lands a jab.
Lugue takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice uppercut there from Ricji.
Lugue has a takedown stuffed.
Ricji lands a really nice looking cross but Lugue seems unphased.
Ricji throws a hook but Lugue blocks it.
Lugue gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ricji cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricji throws a sloppy head kick and Lugue moves out of range easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ricji darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ricji connects with a right hand. Lugue shakes it off.
Ricji throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Ricji moves into the clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A body shot lands from Ricji.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Ricji.
Lugue misses with a punch to the body.

Ricji manages to break the clinch.
Ricji punishes Lugue's body with a nice straight punch.
Lugue uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ricji.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab lands there for Ricji.
Lugue tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ricji sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lugue somewhat.
Ricji tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Ricji dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ricji tries a head kick but it misses.
Ricji throws out a powerful jab.
Ricji swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lugue slips under a jab from Ricji.
Ricji throws a head kick but Lugue moves out of range.
Lugue blocks a head kick by Ricji.
Ricji throws a head kick that misses.
Jay Ricji is winning the standup battle so far.
Ricji with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ricji lands a head kick. Lugue smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Ricji clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Ricji.
Lugue goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Lugue's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Ricji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lugue looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ricji is fending him off so far but Lugue persists. Nope, Ricji circles away and we're back to standing.
Ricji throws a head kick that misses.
Ricji is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lugue can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lugue takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lugue closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ricji counters with a left and a right that stings Lugue.
Lugue throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lugue is defended easily by Ricji.
Lugue takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ricji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ricji lands a jab.
Ricji connects with a high kick.
Ricji misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ricji.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ricji has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lugue tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ricji just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jay Ricji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aj Lugue.

Ricji escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lugue moves out of range of the strikes.
Lugue closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ricji counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Lugue slips under a jab.
Lugue closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ricji counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ricji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lugue looks to clinch
and Ricji counters with a one-two to the body.
A combination from Ricji does no damage.
Lugue avoids the head kick by Ricji.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lugue gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ricji connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lugue clinches but Ricji breaks the clinch
and Ricji counters with a left and a right that stings Lugue.
Ricji throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lugue on the side of the head.
Ricji throws a sloppy head kick and Lugue moves out of range easily.
Ricji misses with a head kick.
Ricji lands a high kick!
Lugue showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ricji.

Ricji fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lugue, pushing him back against the cage.

Ricji breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Ricji.
A head kick misses from Ricji.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lugue has a takedown stuffed.
Lugue throws a lazy right hand but Ricji sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A left and a right from Ricji both land. Nice combination.
Ricji slaps away a takedown attempt from Lugue, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Ricji.
Ricji listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ricji misses with a head kick.
Ricji tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lugue was well out of range. Poor timing from Ricji.
Ricji misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab by Ricji.
Ricji tries a head kick but it misses.
Lugue showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ricji.
Aj Lugue has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jay Ricji is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ricji lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jay Ricji showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ricji has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:24
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:24
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Ricji!