PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Losefa Tuilagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wrex Ler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tuilagi comes to the cage accompanied by Siva Tau. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Tuilagi
vs
Ler

187 cm
22
194 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

185 cm
28
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Losefa Tuilagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wrex Ler!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuilagi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tuilagi wants it to stay on the feet.
Ler misses with a takedown attempt
letting Tuilagi counter with a right hand.

Ler gets the takedown into side control.

Ler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tuilagi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Ler thows a huge punch but Tuilagi dodges it nicely.
Ler is pressing down on Tuilagi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tuilagi is holding on for now.
Ler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tuilagi's head.
Ler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tuilagi defending well though.
Ler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ler throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tuilagi to regain full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuilagi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ler throwing strikes from guard but Tuilagi blocks nicely.
Ler throws a big elbow that misses.
Tuilagi has momentary wrist control but Ler slips an elbow through the middle.
Ler trying to control the position from guard on top but Tuilagi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tuilagi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ler with a nice head shot there.
Tuilagi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tuilagi tries to get out of the position.
Ler throwing strikes but missing.
Ler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ler trying to control the position from guard on top but Tuilagi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tuilagi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi misses with a punch on the inside.
Ler is trying to drag Tuilagi to the mat but Tuilagi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Losefa Tuilagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wrex Ler.
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!
Ler tries for a takedown but Tuilagi manages to get underhooks.

Ler has clasped his hands together around Tuilagi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Sloppy strikes there by Ler.
Ler is chipping away with strikes.
Ler working the body and head with strikes.
Ler creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Tuilagi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tuilagi keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tuilagi is looking to improve his position.
Ler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ler thows a huge punch but Tuilagi dodges it nicely.
Ler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tuilagi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ler is trying to control. Tuilagi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tuilagi is looking to escape.
Tuilagi is breathing heavily.
Tuilagi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ler is working away from the top position though.
Ler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Ler there.
Ler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ler is keen to just control but Tuilagi is a slippery customer.
Ler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tuilagi defending well though.
Nice strikes from Ler there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuilagi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ler.
Ler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuilagi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ler working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ler scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ler working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Ler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tuilagi.

Ler closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ler has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tuilagi's head.
Ground and pound from Ler.
Wrex Ler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ler lands with a punch from half guard.
Ler is keen to just control but Tuilagi is a slippery customer.
Ler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tuilagi trying to control but Ler postures up.
Ler is nestled in close to Tuilagi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ler trying to control from half guard but Tuilagi is working away.
Ler scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ler working over Tuilagi with some ground and pound. Tuilagi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tuilagi's head.
Ler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ler working over Tuilagi with some ground and pound. Tuilagi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Ler is looking for a kimura but Tuilagi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ler to get the leverage.

Ler is looking for a kimura here.
Nice strikes from Ler there.
Tuilagi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ler seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ler is pressing down on Tuilagi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tuilagi is holding on for now.
Ler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tuilagi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ler.
Ler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ler working the head and body with strikes.
Ler seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ler throwing shots but Tuilagi is blocking nicely.
Ler trying to pass the guard but Tuilagi defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ler thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tuilagi is trying to get back to full guard.
Ler slips a nice elbow through Tuilagi's hands, connecting with Tuilagi's forehead.
Ground and pound from Ler.
Ler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tuilagi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tuilagi's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ler lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tuilagi tries to get to full guard but Ler has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tuilagi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ler not doing much here.
Tuilagi taking some punishment here, with Ler in his half guard.
Ler thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ler working over Tuilagi with some ground and pound. Tuilagi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ler working the head and body with strikes.
Ler is controlling the pace.
Ler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrex Ler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ler dives in and grabs Tuilagi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tuilagi pushes down on Ler's head and hops out.
Wrex Ler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tuilagi swinging wildly here.
Ler fails with the takedown
and Ler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Losefa Tuilagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wrex Ler.

Ler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ler breaks from Tuilagi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ler avoids the attempt from Tuilagi to control.
Ler putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ler lands with some strikes.
Ler pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tuilagi wants to control but Ler is having none of it.
Ler is landing with some decent strikes but Tuilagi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ler postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Tuilagi looks a forlorn figure.
Ler working Tuilagi over with strikes here.
Ler is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Tuilagi can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Ler jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Tuilagi manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Tuilagi takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ler cracks Tuilagi with a big right hand but Tuilagi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
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!
Tuilagi takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Tuilagi is rocked!
Ler 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.
Wrex Ler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi is being controlled here.
Let's hope that Ler has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Tuilagi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Tuilagi is trying to control Ler's posture but Ler avoids it.
Ler taking a breather here.
Losefa Tuilagi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Wrex Ler was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tuilagi counters with a nice uppercut.
Ler misses with a takedown attempt - Tuilagi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ler shoots in for a double leg but Tuilagi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ler's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Tuilagi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tuilagi being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tuilagi wants to sweep here but Ler controlling him for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Losefa Tuilagi has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Tuilagi leaves Ler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wrex Ler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ler 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wrex Ler!