PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hector DeLuca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Soprano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

DeLuca
vs
Soprano

180 cm
21
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hector DeLuca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Soprano!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soprano misses with a takedown attempt
and DeLuca counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Soprano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from DeLuca.

Soprano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with DeLuca, pushing him back against the cage.
DeLuca scores with a nice hook to the head.
DeLuca lands a left hand that snaps the head of Soprano backwards.

Soprano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
DeLuca tries to close the distance and clinch but Soprano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Soprano gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and DeLuca counters with a lovely straight right hand!
DeLuca tries to clinch but Soprano moves out of range.
DeLuca keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hector DeLuca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Soprano.
Soprano shoots in looking for a takedown but DeLuca manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Soprano's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
DeLuca stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and DeLuca wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeLuca tries to clinch but Soprano is having none of it.
Soprano lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Soprano.
Soprano shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and DeLuca counters with a nice double leg into side control. Soprano won't be happy with that.
Soprano looks gassed!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
DeLuca works to advance to full mount. Soprano defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Soprano is in a horrible position here. DeLuca smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DeLuca content just to control the position here.
DeLuca with shots to the head and body - Soprano looks very uncomfortable down there.
DeLuca wants to control but instead Soprano manages to regain half guard.
Soprano is not content to let DeLuca control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeLuca wants to free his trapped foot but Soprano is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Soprano is trying to stand up here but DeLuca is controlling him well.

DeLuca seems to be looking for submissions.
DeLuca tries to pass the half guard into mount. Soprano knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano is controlling DeLuca's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Soprano is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Soprano trying to control here.
DeLuca could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
DeLuca tries to clinch but Soprano is having none of it.

DeLuca clinches up with Soprano and pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
DeLuca tries to work over Soprano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
DeLuca can't break the clinch.
DeLuca lands with a short shot to the head.

Soprano has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed DeLuca clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soprano is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. DeLuca knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften DeLuca for a finish.

DeLuca defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Soprano's arms.
Soprano misses with an elbow to the head.
DeLuca is trying to break free.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
DeLuca rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
DeLuca wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Soprano gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows DeLuca to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Soprano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
DeLuca stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soprano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
DeLuca wants to control from the top but Soprano keeps moving.
DeLuca pushing down on Soprano's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
DeLuca wants to pass to mount but Soprano is defending the position.

DeLuca is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Soprano sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano is looking for a sweep. DeLuca is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
DeLuca wants to stand but Soprano has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Soprano is trying to stand back up but DeLuca is controlling him
Soprano is looking to control DeLuca's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Soprano avoid being mounted?
Soprano on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
DeLuca is pressing down on Soprano's thigh, looking to free his foot. Soprano is holding on for now.

Soprano is defending against the submission attempts here by DeLuca.
Soprano trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano moves into full guard.
DeLuca looking to sit in guard and control but Soprano gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Soprano connects with a couple of short punches.
Soprano preventing the sweep.
DeLuca avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano pushes down on DeLuca's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Soprano wants to pass the guard but DeLuca is defending well.
Soprano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Soprano is working for a kimura but DeLuca is defending it quite comfortably.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Soprano connects with a nice short shot to DeLuca's temple.
Soprano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano is just content to waste time from the top position. DeLuca takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Soprano tries to free his leg and advance position but DeLuca is retaining full guard.
Soprano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
DeLuca is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Soprano with a flurry of punches that miss.
DeLuca can't keep his opponent in guard - Soprano advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soprano trying to pass the guard but DeLuca defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soprano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Soprano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Soprano shoots in but no luck this time.
Soprano misses with a takedown attempt

and DeLuca counters with a nice double leg into side control. Soprano won't be happy with that.

DeLuca swings around for an armbar but Soprano sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into DeLuca's guard.
Soprano tries to free his leg and advance position but DeLuca is retaining full guard.
Soprano controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
DeLuca lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Soprano!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soprano doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
DeLuca looking to finish Soprano with some ground and pound. This is bad for Soprano!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
BOOM! DeLuca connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeLuca wants to take Soprano's back here but Soprano is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
DeLuca raining down shots from the mount!
Soprano is working to get back to half guard.
DeLuca lands with some strikes.
Soprano regains half guard.

Soprano makes his way to full guard, as DeLuca worked for a kimura.
DeLuca passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano is controlling DeLuca's trapped leg to prevent DeLuca from advancing to side control.
DeLuca wants to take a breather but Soprano is having none of it.
DeLuca is thwarting Soprano's attempts to control the position.
Soprano regains full guard. Nicely done.
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!
DeLuca passes Soprano's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Soprano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. DeLuca is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeLuca is pressing down on Soprano's thigh, looking to free his foot. Soprano is holding on for now.
Soprano moves into full guard.
DeLuca thows a big elbow that misses.
DeLuca wants to control from the top but Soprano keeps moving.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano keeping moving, preventing DeLuca from controlling successfully.
Soprano keeping full guard, as DeLuca tries to pass.
DeLuca has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

DeLuca avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

DeLuca drops back, looking for a kneebar! Soprano looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Soprano looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Soprano!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
DeLuca defending against the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hector DeLuca.
Well DeLuca 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hector DeLuca!