PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeremy Lukobele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clearence Clearwater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeremy Lukobele has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lukobele
vs
Clearwater

170 cm
24
153 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
154 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jeremy Lukobele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Clearence Clearwater!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lukobele misses with a double jab
and Clearwater makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Lukobele throws a right and a left that both miss.
Clearwater throws a big counter head kick but Lukobele avoids it with no problem.

Clearwater clinches up against the cage.
Clearwater's coach down at Fokai Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Clearwater's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Clearwater breaks from the clinch.
Clearwater takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
As Lukobele backs off Clearwater throws a huge counter combo but Lukobele manages to avoid it all.

Clearwater moves into the clinch.
Lukobele has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Lukobele breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Clearwater gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Clearwater breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lukobele throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lukobele lands with a slapping head kick.
Jeremy Lukobele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Lukobele. No joy for Clearwater on that attempt.
Lukobele throws a lazy head kick
and Clearwater counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Lukobele swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Clearwater counters with a nice body kick.
Lukobele pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lukobele throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Lukobele throws a head kick but Clearwater moves out of range.
Clearwater fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lukobele.
We've been told by Lukobele's head coaches at Cozad MMA Helsinki that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Lukobele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lukobele scores a nice knee to the body.
Lukobele is trying to break the clinch but Clearwater is controlling him.
Lukobele can't break the clinch.

Clearwater breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clearwater dives in and grabs Lukobele's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lukobele pushes down on Clearwater's head and hops out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Clearwater closes the distance and clinches.
Lukobele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Clearwater escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lukobele looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Clearwater circles away from the clinch attempt
and Clearwater counters with a series of strikes. Lukobele will be more careful next time no doubt.

Clearwater pushes Lukobele up against the cage in a clinch.
Lukobele working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Lukobele - that landed with a thud.

Lukobele breaks from the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lukobele.
Lukobele thumps Clearwater with a low kick.
Lukobele throws a head kick but Clearwater moves out of range.
Clearwater looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jeremy Lukobele has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clearence Clearwater.
Lukobele is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Clearwater! But no joy.

Lukobele gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lukobele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lukobele will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lukobele connects with a high kick.
Lukobele throws a low kick but it's checked well by Clearwater.
Lukobele throws a low kick but Clearwater avoids it.
Clearwater looks for a takedown but Lukobele sprawls well.
Lukobele misses with a head kick.
Lukobele throws a head kick that misses
and Clearwater counters with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Clearwater clinches up against the cage.
Clearwater keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lukobele's efforts to push away.
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 Jeremy Lukobele will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lukobele tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Clearwater paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lukobele misses with a leg kick
and Clearwater counters with a stiff right hand.
Lukobele tries to close the distance and clinch up but Clearwater swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Clearwater throws a counter combo.
Lukobele lands with a kick to the ribs.

Lukobele darts in and clinches Clearwater up against the cage.
Lukobele is looking to break free of the clinch but Clearwater has double underhooks.
Clearwater working Lukobele over with knees to the body.
Clearwater tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lukobele just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clearwater wants a takedown but no success here.
Lukobele lands an uppercut.
Clearwater being controlled against the cage.
Clearwater stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukobele is trying to break the clinch but Clearwater is controlling him.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Lukobele content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Clearwater misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lukobele.
Clearwater misses with an elbow strike.

Lukobele breaks the clinch.
Lukobele scores with a kick to the midsection.
Lukobele throws a leg kick which misses Clearwater's front leg but catches the back leg as Clearwater tries to avoid it.
Jeremy Lukobele is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Clearwater gets a clinch.
Clearwater has Lukobele pressed against the cage, preventing Lukobele from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clearwater breaks the clinch.

Clearwater gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lukobele is trying to break free.

Clearwater escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lukobele tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Clearwater paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Clearwater is looking for the big counter here.
Lukobele misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Clearwater throws a counter combo.

Clearwater darts in and clinches Lukobele up against the cage.

Lukobele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lukobele scores with a push kick.
Jeremy Lukobele is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lukobele looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lukobele throws a head kick that misses.

Clearwater moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clearwater misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lukobele.
Lukobele wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Clearwater breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lukobele moves in looking to clinch but Clearwater pushes him off.
Lukobele throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lukobele tries to bum rush Clearwater with a series of wild strikes but Clearwater uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Clearwater tries to clinch but Lukobele moves out of range.

Clearwater darts in and clinches Lukobele up against the cage.
Lukobele misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lukobele is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lukobele has had enough of the clinch but Clearwater keeps him there for the moment.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Clearwater takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lukobele escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Clearwater misses with a wild body shot.
Lukobele throws a leg kick but Clearwater checks it.
Lukobele pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Clearwater steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Lukobele tries to land a leg kick but Clearwater saw it coming and moves away.
Lukobele tries to clinch but Clearwater is having none of it.

Clearwater instigates a clinch.

Clearwater pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Clearwater tries to clinch there but Lukobele circles away.

Lukobele has closed the distance and engaged Clearwater in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jeremy Lukobele will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Clearwater rushes Lukobele and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lukobele connects with a knee to the head.
Clearwater prevents Lukobele from breaking the clinch.
Lukobele blocks an elbow strike from Clearwater.
Lukobele wants to break free but Clearwater has control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Clearwater has Lukobele pressed against the cage, preventing Lukobele from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lukobele is looking to break free of the clinch but Clearwater has double underhooks.
Knees to the body from Clearwater.
Lukobele working hard to break the clinch.

Clearwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clearwater avoids the head kick by Lukobele.

Lukobele tries to keep at a distance but Clearwater has taken the fight into the clinch.
Clearwater stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Clearwater breaks from the clinch.

Lukobele lands a big head kick that sends Clearwater tumbling to the mat! Lukobele takes a step backwards and waves Clearwater back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Clearwater is rocked!
Lukobele throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clearwater is still on wobbly legs! Can Lukobele finish him?
Lukobele throws a head kick that misses.
Lukobele closes the distance but Clearwater moves to the side
and Clearwater counters with a two punch combo.
Lukobele throws a body kick that misses
and Clearwater counters with a two punch combo.
Clearwater seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clearwater blocks a head kick by Lukobele.
As Lukobele backs off Clearwater throws a huge counter combo but Lukobele manages to avoid it all.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lukobele tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Clearwater counters with a solid body kick.
Lukobele is looking to clinch but Clearwater is avoiding it.
Clearwater avoids the head kick by Lukobele.
Lukobele looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lukobele fails with an attempt to clinch.
A low kick from Lukobele is predictable there
and Clearwater counters with a left and a right that stings Lukobele.
Clearence Clearwater has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A lazy body kick from Lukobele
and Clearwater counters with a nice uppercut.

Clearwater has managed to clinch.
Lukobele is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lukobele struggles to land a body shot inside as Clearwater controls his hands.

Clearwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lukobele misses with an attempted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Lukobele.
Lukobele throws a lazy head kick
and Clearwater counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukobele misses with the body kick
and Clearwater counters with a slapping leg kick.
Clearwater lands a high kick!

It looks like Jeremy Lukobele has been cut.
Lukobele tries a head kick but it misses.

Clearwater drives through and clinches with Lukobele against the cage.

Clearwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lukobele has Clearwater up against the cage in a clinch.

Clearwater breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lukobele throws a head kick but Clearwater moves out of range.
Clearwater circles away from the clinch attempt.
Clearwater swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukobele throws a sloppy head kick and Clearwater moves out of range easily.
Clearwater will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lukobele looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jeremy Lukobele is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lukobele scores with a shot to the body.
Lukobele throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lukobele tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lukobele swats away the attempt to clinch by Clearwater.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clearence Clearwater comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lukobele has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeremy Lukobele!
Clearence Clearwater was interviewed post fight and said 'im still the C'.