PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Romelu Lukaku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Urijah Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romelu Lukaku could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Urijah Faber's chin.

Lukaku
vs
Faber

185 cm
23
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

168 cm
20
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Romelu Lukaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Urijah Faber!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Faber throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lukaku was covering up waiting for the punch and Faber finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lukaku working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Faber.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lukaku preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lukaku working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Faber.
Faber must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Faber trying to control the position from guard on top but Lukaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Faber with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lukaku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Faber is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Faber advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber wants to pass the guard but Lukaku is defending well.
Faber takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Faber is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Faber missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Faber is just content to waste time from the top position. Lukaku takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Faber is looking to work some ground and pound but Lukaku has wrist control.
Lukaku is breathing heavily.
Faber trying to control but Lukaku is working from the bottom.
Faber's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber looking to pass the guard.
Faber is looking to work some ground and pound but Lukaku has wrist control.
Faber trying to control but Lukaku is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Urijah Faber was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lukaku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lukaku wants it to stay on the feet.

Faber shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Still in half guard, Faber seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku is not content to let Faber control the position.
Lukaku avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Faber.
Faber trying to pass the guard but Lukaku defending well.
Faber missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Faber thows a huge punch but Lukaku dodges it nicely.
Faber missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Faber controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faber throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lukaku really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Faber is controlling the pace.
Faber wants to free his trapped foot but Lukaku is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Faber is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Urijah Faber hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Faber rushes Lukaku and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urijah Faber dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Faber gets the takedown into side control.
Faber trying to control the position but Lukaku is working away.
Faber wants to control for a moment but Lukaku uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Faber keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lukaku trying to control from the bottom.
Faber throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Faber thows a huge punch but Lukaku dodges it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Faber throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Faber stalling away here and it's allowed Lukaku to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Faber is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Lukaku is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Lukaku has escaped and now he's on top!
Faber is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lukaku has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Faber is proving hard to escape from.

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

Lukaku drops back looking for a leg! Faber is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Faber manages to kick Lukaku off! Lukaku jumps back into Faber's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber wants to sweep but no luck.
Faber really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lukaku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lukaku trying to control the position from guard on top but Faber is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukaku prevents Faber from getting back to his feet.
Faber managing to control the position.
Faber looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lukaku is one step ahead there.
Faber is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Urijah Faber wasn't active enough on the ground.
A big left from Faber misses.
Faber tries to clinch up but Lukaku circles away and keeps his distance.
Sloppy strikes from Faber. Those never looked like landing.
Faber is looking to clinch.
Lukaku tries to close the distance and clinch up but Faber swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Faber tries to bum rush Lukaku with a series of wild strikes but Lukaku uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku tries to clinch but Faber moves out of range.
Faber shoots in looking for a takedown. Lukaku tries to sprawl out of it but Faber keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lukaku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Faber throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Faber just leaning against Lukaku, taking a breather.
Lukaku tries to stall but Faber uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Faber is working for takedown but Lukaku is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urijah Faber showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Faber gets a double leg takedown into Lukaku's guard.
Faber looking to sit in guard and control but Lukaku gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lukaku trying to control but Faber is working from the bottom.

Lukaku got a little sloppy there for a moment and Faber has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lukaku has managed to get both his arms back between Faber's legs - danger averted.
Faber tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lukaku missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Faber trying to keep a closed guard but Lukaku is proving a slippery customer.
Lukaku passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber is trying to stand up here but Lukaku is controlling him well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lukaku is trying to control the action in half guard but Faber is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Lukaku 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.
Faber is looking to escape.
Faber is not content to let Lukaku control the position.
Lukaku with the ground and pound but Faber uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber keeping full guard, as Lukaku tries to pass.
Faber pulls Lukaku in to control the position.
Lukaku won't allow Faber to sweep him here.
Faber wants to stand and escape but Lukaku is having none of it.

Lukaku is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lukaku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lukaku is working hard here to advance position.
Faber trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Urijah Faber wasn't active enough on the ground.

Faber moves into the clinch.
Faber is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lukaku pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Faber pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Faber shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lukaku pinned against the cage. Lukaku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Faber wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukaku has his takedown stuffed

and Faber counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Faber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Faber fails with a takedown attempt.
Romelu Lukaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Urijah Faber.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Faber moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Urijah Faber comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Faber has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight for Urijah Faber!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Urijah Faber!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Urijah Faber!

Urijah Faber wins by unanimous decision!