PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Luis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kid Pichugo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luis comes to the cage accompanied by Creu. Pichugo has chosen Never Say Die as his entrance music. Kid Pichugo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Luis
vs
Pichugo

174 cm
25
186 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabriel Luis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kid Pichugo!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pichugo throws a sloppy head kick and Luis moves out of range easily.
Luis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Luis shoots in for a takedown but Pichugo shows good takedown defense.

Pichugo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Luis is looking to reverse the position.
An elbow from Pichugo crashes against the mat.
Luis wants to control but Pichugo postures up.
A lull in the action here as Pichugo stalls from top position.

Pichugo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pichugo in side control lands a decent elbow.
Pichugo controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luis is trying to control Pichugo's posture but Pichugo avoids it.
An elbow from Pichugo crashes against the mat.

Pichugo decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Luis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pichugo's waist but Pichugo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Luis off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Luis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Luis or perhaps it was just good defense by Pichugo which made him look bad.

Luis changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pichugo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Pichugo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pichugo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Luis's best efforts.
Luis stalling away here and it's allowed Pichugo to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Pichugo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Luis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pichugo controlling Luis's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Pichugo holds on and takes a little breather.
Luis wants to control from the top but Pichugo keeps moving.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Pichugo is trying to keep Luis in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kid Pichugo was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Luis tries for a takedown but Pichugo circles away easily
and Pichugo counters with a right hand to the body.
Luis is breathing heavily.
Luis with a poor takedown

and Pichugo counters with a single leg into guard. Luis didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichugo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Pichugo trying to control but Luis is working from the bottom.
Pichugo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Luis's guard.
Pichugo distracts Luis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Pichugo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pichugo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Luis keeping moving, preventing Pichugo from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luis trying to keep a closed guard but Pichugo is proving a slippery customer.

Pichugo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Pichugo takes the fight into the clinch.

Pichugo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Luis uses from the top position.
Pichugo has Luis pulled in close to control his posture.
Pichugo wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pichugo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Luis tries to free his leg and advance position but Pichugo is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Pichugo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Luis tries for a takedown but Pichugo circles away easily

and Pichugo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Luis's guard.
Pichugo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Luis controls Pichugo momentarily but Pichugo frees himself.
Luis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pichugo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Luis working for a triangle but Pichugo defends it easily.
Pichugo trying to control but Luis is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichugo is in close to Luis's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Luis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pichugo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pichugo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Luis keeping moving, preventing Pichugo from controlling successfully.

Pichugo stands and steps away. Luis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Luis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pichugo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Luis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pichugo somewhat.
Pichugo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luis shoots in but Pichugo avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Pichugo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pichugo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Luis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pichugo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Luis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pichugo.
Pichugo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Pichugo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Luis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pichugo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pichugo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kid Pichugo has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pichugo throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Luis.
Pichugo fails to land the takedown.
Gabriel Luis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kid Pichugo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pichugo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Luis avoids it really well and circles away.
No luck for Luis with that takedown attempt.

Pichugo drives through and clinches with Luis against the cage.
Pichugo stalls.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Luis gets control of Pichugo's arms and successfully pulls guard. Luis will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Pichugo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Luis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Luis. No joy for Pichugo on that attempt.
Pichugo dives in and grabs Luis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Luis pushes down on Pichugo's head and hops out.
Luis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Pichugo moves into the clinch.

Pichugo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Pichugo rushes Luis and presses him up against the cage.
Luis fails to pull guard.
Luis tries to pull guard but Pichugo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Luis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pichugo digs a right hand underneath Luis's ribcage. Luis let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Luis tries to pull guard but Pichugo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Luis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pichugo walks away with a smile on his face. Luis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Pichugo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pichugo wants it to stay on the feet.
Pichugo throws a right hand that Luis ducks under and follows up with a left that Luis also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pichugo is defended easily by Luis.
Pichugo throws a combination that misses

and Luis counters with a shoot takedown. Pichugo fights it but they end up in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pichugo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luis sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pichugo's guard.
Luis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pichugo keeps working.
Pichugo trying to control here.

Luis is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kid Pichugo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Luis prevents Pichugo from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luis is keen to just control but Pichugo is a slippery customer.
Luis looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Luis is working hard here to advance position.
Pichugo is trying to stand up here but Luis is controlling him well.
Luis tries to pass to full mount but Pichugo defends it.
Luis is keen to just control but Pichugo is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luis is looking to advance position but Pichugo won't allow it.
Pichugo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Luis trying to control the position from guard on top but Pichugo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luis passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Luis is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pichugo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Pichugo is trying to control Luis's posture but Luis avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luis wants to control but Pichugo is keeping him busy.
Pichugo is looking for a sweep.
Pichugo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Luis's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Luis trying to mount his opponent but Pichugo defends it.
Gabriel Luis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kid Pichugo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Luis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gabriel Luis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pichugo 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kid Pichugo!
A relieved looking Kid Pichugo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.