PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Luciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Fire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luciano comes to the cage accompanied by The Big Payback. The key to victory for Charlie Luciano has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Luciano
vs
Fire

180 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

167 cm
23
155 lbs
7 - 12 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie Luciano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Tommy Fire!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Franklyn Lucas and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Luciano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fire swinging wildly here.
Fire takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Luciano with a hook.
Fire takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Luciano moves into the clinch.
Fire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Luciano.
Fire is working for takedown but Luciano is calmly controlling the position for now.
Luciano lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fire backwards.
Fire tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Luciano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fire is trying to pull guard but Luciano turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Charlie Luciano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Fire.
Luciano manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Luciano lands a body punch in the clinch.
Fire blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Luciano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Luciano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Luciano scores with a hook to the body.

Fire lands a takedown into guard.
Luciano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fire is controlling him.
Luciano keeping full guard, as Fire tries to pass.
Luciano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tommy Fire has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Luciano cracks Fire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fire is trying hard to land a takedown here. Luciano sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fire throws a nice looking combination but Luciano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Luciano throws a shot to the body.
Luciano stuffs the takedown.
Luciano goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
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!
Luciano lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Fire scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Luciano is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Fire asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Luciano trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Luciano dodges the ground and pound from Fire.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fire throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Fire prevents Luciano from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fire postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Luciano throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Luciano misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Luciano swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Fire shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fire trying to pass the guard but Luciano defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Charlie Luciano will probably get the nod.
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.

Nice takedown defense from Luciano. No joy for Fire on that attempt.
Fire walks into a stiff left hand from Luciano.
Luciano throws a jab when Fire was well out of range.
Fire shoots in for a double leg but Luciano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Charlie Luciano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luciano scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Luciano cracks Fire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Luciano moves out of range of the body kick.
Luciano doesn't manage to clinch there - Fire circles away.
Luciano lands a jab to Fire's midsection.
Fire takes one to the chin there.
Luciano slaps away a takedown attempt from Fire, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Charlie Luciano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Fire.

Luciano rushes Fire and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fire misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fire wants a takedown.
Fire tries to pull guard but Luciano holds him up against the cage and eventually Fire drops back down to his feet.
Fire looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire is looking for a takedown.
Fire lands a body punch.
Luciano is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fire wants a takedown.
Luciano lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Fire's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short left from Luciano.
Fire goes for a takedown attempt but Luciano pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Luciano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Charlie Luciano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Luciano with a jab.
Luciano looks to land a combination. Fire sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Luciano lands the left hand.
Luciano scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Luciano does no damage.
Fire misses with a double jab
and Luciano counters with a nice body shot.
Luciano catches Fire with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Luciano feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fires jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Luciano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Luciano throws a nice looking combination but Fire bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Charlie Luciano is winning the standup battle so far.
Luciano works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Luciano scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fire avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charlie Luciano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Luciano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fire takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Luciano listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fire shoots in for a takedown but Luciano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fire throws a head kick that misses.
Fire fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Luciano avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fire paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Luciano moves in looking to clinch but Fire pushes him off.
Luciano darts in trying to clinch
and Fire counters with a two punch combo.
Luciano lands with an uppercut that bounces Fire off the cage and back into range.
Luciano throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fire stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luciano is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Luciano dips to his left and cracks Fire with an uppercut!
Luciano lands a two punch combo.
Fire takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Luciano throws a right hand that Fire ducks under and follows up with a left that Fire also avoids with ease.

Fire bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Luciano prevents Fire from improving position.
Fire 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fire is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Luciano knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Fire asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Luciano dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Luciano misses with a few strikes there.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Fire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano cracks Fire with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fire changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Luciano tries to avoid it but Fire manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Luciano to the ground. Luciano escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fire moves forwards but Luciano connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Luciano leaves Fire with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Luciano lands a body shot.
Luciano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fire was well out of range. Poor timing from Luciano.
Fire takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Luciano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fire paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fire takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Luciano lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fire walks into a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano connects with a single shot there.

Luciano has Fire up against the cage in a clinch.
Fire is trying to drag Luciano to the mat but Luciano just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Charlie Luciano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Fire.
Fire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Luciano is defending well for now.
Fire misses with a hook to the ribs.
Luciano stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fire tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Luciano smiles and moves away.
Nice cross by Luciano.
Luciano scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Jab, jab by Luciano - just one landing.
Fire shoots in for a takedown but Luciano shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fire shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Luciano sprawls well. Luciano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fire gets slowly back to his feet.
Luciano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Luciano tries to clinch but Fire moves out of range.
Fire has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Luciano finds it's way round the side to connect with Fire's head.
Luciano misses with a wild combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fire.
Decent striking displayed by Luciano there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fire doesn't manage to clinch there - Luciano circles away.
Nice shot by Luciano.
Fire takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fire fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fire drops his hands momentarily and Luciano takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Luciano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Fire shoots in and gets a takedown into Luciano's guard.
Fire must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Luciano wants to stand and escape but Fire is having none of it.
Charlie Luciano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fire throws a strike but Luciano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fire looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano trying to control the position from guard on top but Fire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Charlie Luciano wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Fire fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Luciano avoids it really well and circles away.
Luciano's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Luciano duly obliges.
Luciano throws out a powerful jab.
A left and a right from Luciano both land. Nice combination.
Luciano jabs at Fire's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Luciano scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Fire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luciano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tommy Fire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luciano cracks Fire with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Luciano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Luciano, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Luciano!
Charlie Luciano very nearly forgot to thank Hellraiser Fightgear ($10 and above) amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.