PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucias Verenus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Black
vs
Verenus

165 cm
22
152 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
147 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lucias Verenus!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verenus avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Black misses.
Verenus shoots in for a double leg but Black sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Black scores with a jab. Verenus acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Verenus is rocked!
Black fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Verenus is still on wobbly legs! Can Black finish him?
Verenus closes the distance and clinches up with Black, looking for a takedown. Verenus pushes Black against the ropes but Black circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Black rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Verenus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Black misses with a double jab.
Black looks to land a combination but Verenus avoids it well.
Verenus seems to have recovered his senses.
Black moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Verenus goes down! Can Black finish him!?

Verenus working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Black doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Black manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Verenus had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Black is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Verenus Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Black's back instead.
Black holding both Verenus 's hands and preventing any damage.

Black showing good submission defense here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verenus has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Black holding both Verenus 's hands and preventing any damage.

Verenus looking to break Black's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Black remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Verenus will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Verenus looks gassed!

Black defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Black looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Verenus looking for the choke from the back.

Black manages to stand up with Verenus still on his back. Eventually Verenus drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Black misses.
Verenus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Black pinned against the cage. Black gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mike Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucias Verenus.
Verenus shoots in for a double leg but Black sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Verenus.
Black knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Verenus on the ground.

Verenus looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Verenus works to advance to full mount. Black defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Black on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Black tries to get out of the position.
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!
Verenus landing shots from mount.

Verenus jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Black manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Verenus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Black knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Black is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Verenus asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verenus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Black tries to escape but Verenus is in control.
Black trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Verenus scoring with punches and elbows.
Black is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Verenus has just dragged him back down to the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Black does no damage.
Black thows a body shot but no joy.
Black misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Black rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Verenus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Black looks to land a combination but Verenus avoids it well.
Nice takedown defense from Black. No joy for Verenus on that attempt.
Verenus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Black thuds a left hand into Verenus's body.

Black gets caught flat footed, as Verenus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Verenus stands and throws Black's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Verenus working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Verenus working the ground and pound.
Black avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Verenus.
Black is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Verenus asserts his dominance and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Verenus advances nicely into full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucias Verenus dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Black tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Black throws a right and a left that both miss.
Black scores with a hook to the body. Verenus takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Black throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verenus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Black cracks Verenus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Black misses with a jab, cross combination.
Black fails to land with a series of punches.

Verenus shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Verenus has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Black's face.
Black is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Black is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Verenus has taken his back!
Black is trying to stand back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Verenus has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black wants to get back to his feet.
Black has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Verenus.
Black looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Verenus thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Black trying to get back to his feet but Verenus is in full control for now.

Verenus is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Black has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Black is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Verenus scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Black holding both Verenus 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Black defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Verenus's arms.
Verenus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Verenus throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Verenus has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Black controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Verenus working for a choke but Black reverses nicely into Verenus 's guard.
Black wants to stand but Verenus is controlling his posture from full guard.
Verenus tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black wanted to stand there but Verenus had control of the position.

Black avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Verenus striking off his back but it's not causing Black any problems.
Black has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Verenus looking for a sweep. Not yet Verenus, not yet.

Black stands and steps away. Verenus gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mike Black is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Verenus tries to keep at a distance but Black has taken the fight into the clinch.

Verenus is trying to trip Black. He has hold of a leg but Black is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Verenus persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Verenus passes into half guard.

Verenus decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Verenus.
Black throws a combination that misses
and Verenus counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Black throws a right hand that Verenus ducks under and follows up with a left that Verenus also avoids with ease.
Black throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Black connects with a looping right hand.
Black throws a one two combo.

Black closes the distance and clinches.
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!

Black breaks the clinch.
Black scores with a three punch combo!
Black misses with a wild combination.
Verenus fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Verenus.

Verenus has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Black throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Verenus shoots in for a takedown but Black shows good takedown defense.
Mike Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucias Verenus.
Verenus shoots in for a double leg but Black sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Verenus swats away the attempt to clinch by Black.
A combination from Black does no damage.
Black fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Black. No joy for Verenus on that attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucias Verenus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Black breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Verenus gets a takedown into half guard.
Black wants to get back to his feet.

Verenus stands up and beckons Black to join him on the feet.

Verenus looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Verenus is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Black tries to kick Verenus off but Verenus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Verenus wants to work for an arm triangle but Black is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Verenus is trying to work for a kimura but Black is defending well.
Verenus is looking to advance position but Black won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verenus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Verenus looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Black with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Verenus not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Black is trying to stand back up but Verenus is controlling him

Verenus seems to be working for a kimura but Black defends the submission attempt.
Verenus tries to pass to full mount but Black defends it.
Verenus thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Black tries to kick Verenus off but Verenus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Verenus sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Black defending well though.

Verenus is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Black has managed to free his arm - good work.
Verenus moves nicely into side control.

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.
Black is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Verenus decides to stand back up. Verenus steps back and let's Black get back to his feet.
No joy there for Black, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Black misses with a two punch combination.
Nice shot by Black.
Black misses with a wild combination.
Nice sprawl there from Black as Verenus shoots in.
No luck for Verenus with that takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Black looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Verenus shoots in looking for a takedown. Black tries to sprawl out of it but Verenus keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Black manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucias Verenus.
Black tries to bum rush Verenus with a series of wild strikes but Verenus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Verenus looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Verenus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Verenus slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verenus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Black swivels and escapes.
Verenus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Black pinned against the cage. Black gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Black misses with a double jab

and Verenus counters with a shoot takedown. Black fights it but they end up in guard.

Verenus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Black is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Verenus is controlling him.

Verenus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Black is looking to stand up but Verenus isn't so interested in that idea.

Verenus drops back looking for a leg! Black is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Black manages to kick Verenus off! Verenus jumps back into Black's guard.
Black wants to stand up but Verenus is controlling him.
Lucias Verenus has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verenus tries to free his leg and advance position but Black is retaining full guard.
Mike Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Black misses with a combination

and Verenus counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Black's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Verenus passes Black's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Black is trying to stand back up but Verenus is controlling him
Verenus wants to pass the guard but Black is defending well.

Verenus seems to be working for a kimura but Black defends the submission attempt.
Black tries to kick Verenus off but Verenus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Verenus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Black throws a right hand that Verenus ducks under and follows up with a left that Verenus also avoids with ease.
Black fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucias Verenus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Verenus 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucias Verenus!