PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thulani Imamu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lisandro Licha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Licha's choice of entrance music: In Bloom. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Imamu
vs
Licha

188 cm
31
201 lbs
14 - 15 - 0

181 cm
23
180 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thulani Imamu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lisandro Licha!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Licha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Imamu with a hook.
Licha misses with a double jab.
Imamu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Licha fails with a takedown attempt.
Imamu blocks the body kick.
Imamu leaves Licha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Licha slips a straight right by Imamu.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Imamu.
Licha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Imamu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Imamu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Imamu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Licha.
Licha moves in looking to clinch but Imamu pushes him off.
Imamu misses with a double jab.
Licha slips a straight right by Imamu.
Lisandro Licha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Licha shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Imamu napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Licha misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ground and pound from Licha seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Licha is trying to get an arm triangle but Imamu is defending well.
Imamu is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Licha is controlling him well.
Licha misses with the ground and pound.
Licha working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Licha working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Imamu is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Licha working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Licha is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Imamu has escaped the position, nice work there.
Licha wants to control but Imamu is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Licha is trying to get an arm triangle but Imamu is defending well.
Imamu prevents Licha from improving position.
Licha misses with the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Licha creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Imamu sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Imamu wants to get back to his feet but Licha drags him back down.
Licha advances to full mount.
Imamu squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Licha is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Imamu to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Imamu shrugs it off.

Licha working for a submission but Imamu is keeping him at bay.
Imamu is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Licha working for a submission but Imamu is keeping him at bay.
Imamu is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Imamu has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Imamu wants to get back to his feet.
Imamu is breathing heavily.
Licha thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Imamu looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Imamu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Licha on the ground.

Licha has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Imamu has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Licha has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Imamu defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Licha's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imamu has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Well, with Licha on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Imamu is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Licha working for a choke but Imamu is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Licha throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Imamu has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Imamu avoids the strikes from Licha.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Imamu looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Licha misses with punches from the back.

Imamu is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Licha gets his way!

Licha is looking for the choke from the back position but Imamu is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Licha misses with a takedown attempt - Imamu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Licha tries to bum rush Imamu with a series of wild strikes but Imamu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - Licha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Licha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Imamu connects with a body shot.
Licha shoots for a takedown but Imamu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Licha ducks under a wild hook from Imamu.
Licha has a takedown stuffed.
Thulani Imamu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lisandro Licha.
Imamu loads up on a big right hand but Licha slips the punch.
A slow jab from Imamu misses its intended target.

Imamu gets caught flat footed, as Licha shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Imamu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Licha is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Licha trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Imamu is looking to stand up but Licha isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Licha wants to pass the guard but Imamu is keeping the position.
Licha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Imamu kicks Licha off and gets to his feet.
Licha misses with a takedown attempt
and Imamu counters with a nice uppercut.
Imamu lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Licha moves away from the strike by Imamu.
Imamu catches Licha with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Licha connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A swing and a miss from Licha.
Licha lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Thulani Imamu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Licha bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Licha tries to bum rush Imamu with a series of wild strikes but Imamu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Imamu throws a jab but it's blocked by Licha.
Licha fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Imamu on the side of the head.
Licha ducks under a wild hook from Imamu.
Licha tries to clinch up but Imamu circles away and keeps his distance.
Licha with a jab.
Imamu throws a hook but Licha avoids it easily.
Licha swings for the body but Imamu moves out of range.
Licha throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Licha fails to land with a series of punches.
Imamu just misses with a punch to the body.
Licha gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Imamu counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imamu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Licha manages to avoid it.
Imamu looks to land a left hand but Licha moved out of range nicely.
Licha feints a jab promting Imamu to slip. Licha then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Imamu slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Lisandro Licha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Licha misses with a series of wild punches.
Imamu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Licha.
Licha avoids the body shot from Imamu.
Imamu moves out of range as Licha strikes.
Imamu misses with an uppercut.
Licha throws a right hand that Imamu ducks under and follows up with a left that Imamu also avoids with ease.
The fighters circling - Imamu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Licha scores with a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Licha walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Licha.
Licha rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Imamu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Licha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Imamu works the jab nicely.
Imamu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Licha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Licha pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Licha ducks under a wild hook from Imamu.
Imamu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Licha finds it's way round the side to connect with Imamu's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Licha tries to bum rush Imamu with a series of wild strikes but Imamu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Licha paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Licha swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Imamu counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lisandro Licha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Licha takes a swing at Imamu's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Imamu. Licha does a little dance to reset his feet.
Licha lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Licha.
Imamu slips a jab and a cross from Licha.
Imamu blocks a head kick by Licha.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Licha.
Imamu lands with a good body shot.
Imamu tries to move into range but Licha moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Licha throws a combination. Imamu tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Licha doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Licha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Imamu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Licha throws a looping overhand right but Imamu ducks down to avoid it.
Licha throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Imamu.
Jab from Imamu.
Imamu lands with a hook. Licha tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Licha throws a nice looking combination but Imamu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Licha misses with a takedown attempt - Imamu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Imamu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Licha misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Imamu counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A left lands for Imamu.
Licha avoids the body shot from Imamu.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Licha displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Imamu throws out the jab.
Imamu lands a glancing blow to the side of Licha's head.
Licha throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Imamu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thulani Imamu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Licha staying out of range there.
Licha stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Licha shoots in looking for a takedown. Imamu tries to sprawl out of it but Licha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Imamu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thulani Imamu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lisandro Licha.
Imamu misses with a looping left.
Imamu lands a nice shot to the body.
Imamu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Licha manages to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Imamu. No joy for Licha on that attempt.
Licha keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Licha tries to clinch but Imamu is having none of it.
Licha fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Imamu avoids it really well and circles away.
Licha fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Licha displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Imamu throws out the jab.
Imamu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Licha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Licha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Imamu sprawls well. Imamu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Licha gets slowly back to his feet.
Licha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Imamu moves out of range as Licha throws a body kick.
Imamu keeps the fight on the outside.
Licha takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Licha jabs Imamu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Imamu throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imamu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Licha.
Licha swinging wildly here.
Licha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Imamu misses the jab.
Licha's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Licha duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Licha shoots in for a takedown but Imamu shows good takedown defense.
Imamu throws a hook to the side of Licha's head but Licha sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Licha throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Licha throws a poor cross that misses
and Imamu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Imamu works Licha's body with a nice hook.
Lisandro Licha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Imamu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Licha moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thulani Imamu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Licha 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lisandro Licha!