PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Spike Spiegel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francesco Luongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luongo has chosen Alexisonfire - The Northern as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Spiegel
vs
Luongo

194 cm
26
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

185 cm
30
173 lbs
24 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Spike Spiegel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francesco Luongo!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luongo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spiegel sprawls well. Spiegel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Luongo gets slowly back to his feet.
Spiegel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Luongo moves into range and clinches up with Spiegel.
Luongo swings wildly with an uppercut but Spiegel uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right handed body shot lands from Luongo.
Spiegel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Spiegel lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Francesco Luongo has been cut.
Luongo lands with a right to the head.
Spiegel lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spiegel.
Luongo letting Spiegel take a breather here.
Luongo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spiegel walks away with a smile on his face. Luongo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Luongo clinches with his opponent.
Spiegel is struggling to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spiegel prevents a body shot from Luongo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Luongo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Luongo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Spiegel blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Luongo.
Luongo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Luongo working aggressively here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spiegel.
Luongo is struggling to control the position.
Luongo throws a punch but it's blocked by Spiegel.
Luongo throws a head punch that misses.
Luongo has Spiegel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Spiegel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Spike Spiegel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francesco Luongo.
Spiegel trying to stall but Luongo improves his position.
Luongo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Spiegel trying to stall but Luongo improves his position.
Luongo is trying to push Spiegel away but Spiegel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Luongo has a couple of punches blocked by Spiegel.
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!
Spiegel just leaning against Luongo, taking a breather.
Luongo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Spiegel pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Luongo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Luongo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Luongo presses Spiegel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Luongo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spiegel throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Luongo blocks it with crossed arms.
Luongo tries to circle away but Spiegel has him pinned against the cage.
Spiegel tries to stall but Luongo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Luongo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spiegel throws an elbow but it misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Luongo breaks the clinch.
Luongo misses with a takedown attempt
and Spiegel counters with a low kick, right behind Luongo 's knee.

Luongo moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luongo blocks an elbow strike.
Spiegel is trying to stall.
Luongo tries a body shot but Spiegel blocks it.
Luongo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Spiegel gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Luongo slowing the pace effectively.
Luongo works on Spiegel's body with a couple of short punches.
Luongo is looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Luongo fails to land.
Luongo misses with some punches.
Spiegel tries to stall but Luongo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Luongo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spiegel looking to throw knees to the head but Luongo is blocking nicely.
Spiegel is stalling here.
Spiegel putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Luongo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Spiegel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Luongo is leaning against Spiegel and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Spiegel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luongo lands with a left to the head.
Spiegel throws an elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luongo slowing the pace effectively.
Luongo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Luongo has Spiegel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Spiegel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Spiegel pushes Luongo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Luongo fails to land.
Luongo cracks Spiegel with a nice body shot.
Spiegel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Luongo struggles to land a body shot inside as Spiegel controls his hands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Spiegel.
Luongo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A left hand lands to the body for Luongo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Francesco Luongo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francesco Luongo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spiegel lands with a cross.

Luongo takes the fight into the clinch.
Spiegel trying to control the position but instead, Luongo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Spiegel into the cage.
Luongo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Spiegel up against the cage.
Spiegel lands an elbow just above Luongo 's eye.
Spiegel lands a damaging elbow.

That has opened up Francesco Luongo's cut even more.
Spiegel throws an elbow that misses.
Luongo scores with a hook to the body.
Luongo tries to work over Spiegel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spiegel pushes off an throws an elbow but Luongo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Luongo pushes Spiegel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spiegel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Luongo struggles to land a body shot inside as Spiegel controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luongo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Spiegel smiles and moves away.

Luongo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Luongo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Spiegel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Luongo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Luongo seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luongo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Luongo not doing much here.
Luongo prevents Spiegel from improving his position.
Spiegel is not content to let Luongo control the position.
Luongo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spiegel defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luongo seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Spiegel is controlling Luongo's trapped leg to prevent Luongo from advancing to side control.
Luongo is trying to control. Spiegel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Luongo misses with a head shot. Spiegel uses the momentum to regain guard.
Luongo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Spiegel knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Luongo on the ground.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Francesco Luongo hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Spiegel throws a low kick, looking for Luongo's leg but Luongo calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spiegel misses with a body kick.
Luongo fails with the takedown.
Luongo blocks a head kick by Spiegel.
Luongo takes a swing at Spiegel's ribcage but misses.

Spiegel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Luongo is trying to stall.
Spiegel keeps control of Luongo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Luongo tries for a takedown but Spiegel manages to get underhooks.
Spike Spiegel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francesco Luongo.
Luongo being controlled against the cage.
Luongo tries to pull guard but Spiegel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spiegel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Spiegel lands a good knee to the midsection. Luongo won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francesco Luongo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francesco Luongo's cut.
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!

Spiegel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spiegel is looking to score with low kicks.

Luongo darts in and clinches Spiegel up against the cage.
Spiegel lands an elbow inside that Luongo shrugs off.
Spiegel trying to land knees to the body.
Luongo is trying to force a seperation but Spiegel has the dominant position.
Luongo misses with a punch on the inside.
Spiegel is pushing Luongo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Luongo jumps guard.
Luongo looking to control.
Spiegel trying to control but Luongo is working from the bottom.
Luongo is trying to control the position but Spiegel postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Spiegel won't allow Luongo to get back to his feet.

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

Spiegel forces Luongo back against the cage and clinches.
Spiegel utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Luongo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Spiegel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Spiegel lands a good knee to the midsection. Luongo won't want to take too many of those.
Luongo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Luongo lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Spiegel is looking to control Luongo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spiegel avoid being mounted?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Luongo prevents Spiegel from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luongo controlling the pace.
Spiegel wants to control but Luongo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Spiegel tries to keep at a distance but Luongo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Spiegel stalling against the cage.
Luongo leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Luongo fails to land.
Spiegel misses with a knee strike.
Spiegel avoiding damage.
Luongo is looking for a takedown.
Luongo throws a punch but it's blocked by Spiegel.
Luongo lands with a left to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Spiegel tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Luongo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Luongo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Spiegel tries to work over Luongo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spiegel lands a nice knee to the body.
Spiegel is trying to maintain a safe position but Luongo gets an underhook and turns Spiegel into the cage.
Luongo tries to work over Spiegel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Luongo wants to stall.
Luongo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spiegel's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luongo misses with some punches.
Spiegel lands an elbow inside that Luongo shrugs off.

The cut above Francesco Luongo's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Spiegel scores a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spiegel.
Luongo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Luongo throws a punch but it's blocked by Spiegel.
Luongo wants to get back to striking at distance but Spiegel won't allow it.
Spiegel with a knee to the head.
Luongo letting Spiegel take a breather here.
Luongo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Spiegel is looking to control Luongo's arms but Luongo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Spiegel has his back to the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spiegel working Luongo over with knees to the body.
Spike Spiegel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luongo tries a body shot but Spiegel blocks it.
Spiegel unloads a knee to the mid-section.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spike Spiegel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Luongo 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francesco Luongo!