PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Madrigal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Madrigal kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Lil Jon-Throw it Up. Romero has chosen Lords Of Salem as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Madrigal
vs
Romero

178 cm
38
170 lbs
28 - 13 - 1

177 cm
30
160 lbs
16 - 15 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 28 - 13 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Julio Madrigal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Nicodemo Romero!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madrigal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Romero throws a big counter head kick but Madrigal avoids it with no problem.
Madrigal throws a lazy right hand but Romero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Romero changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Romero throws a big counter head kick but Madrigal avoids it with no problem.
Madrigal shoots in but Romero avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Romero scoring well with a low kick there.
Madrigal shoots and misses
and Romero counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
We've been informed that Romero has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Madrigal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Madrigal throws a nice looking combination but Romero bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Madrigal throws a body shot but no joy.
Madrigal fails with the takedown.
Romero scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Romero.
Madrigal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romero sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Romero drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Madrigal defends it well.
Romero lands with a slapping head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Madrigal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Madrigal takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Romero ducks under a wild hook from Madrigal.
And Romero responds with a good body kick, but Madrigal manages to step out the way in time.
Madrigal tries to clinch
and Romero counters with a good low kick that Madrigal was not able to check.
Madrigal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Romero.
Romero feints the counter takedown.

Madrigal darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Madrigal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Romero's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Romero looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Romero works his way to full guard. Good work.

Romero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Madrigal is aware though and is defending well.
Madrigal preventing the sweep.

Romero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Madrigal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Madrigal lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Madrigal postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Madrigal chips away with some ground and pound.
Madrigal throwing strikes but missing.
Romero manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Madrigal manages to get himself to full guard.

Madrigal throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Madrigal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Romero lands a couple of elbows.

Madrigal throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Romero scoring with some ground and pound.
Romero chips away with some ground and pound.

Romero drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Madrigal dives on top into guard.

Romero looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Romero is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Madrigal wants to control from the top but Romero keeps moving.
Madrigal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero wants to sweep but no luck.
Madrigal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Madrigal's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Romero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Madrigal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Madrigal lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Madrigal trying to control but Romero is working from the bottom.

Madrigal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Romero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Madrigal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Madrigal stands up over Romero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Romero throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Madrigal escapes and throws Romero's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romero is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nicodemo Romero will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Madrigal shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Romero defends it nicely.
Romero stuffs the takedown.
Romero thinks about the counter body kick.
Madrigal with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Romero counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Madrigal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Madrigal misses with a takedown
and Romero makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Madrigal misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Romero to counter with a crisp jab.
Madrigal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Romero counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Madrigal misses with a hook
and Romero makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Madrigal is defended easily by Romero.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madrigal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Romero feints the counter takedown.
Madrigal shoots in but Romero avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Romero appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Madrigal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.
Madrigal misses with a body shot
and Romero makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Madrigal really felt that one!
Romero thuds his shin into the meat of Madrigal's side.
Romero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Madrigal avoids the head kick by Romero.
Romero moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Romero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Madrigal tries for a takedown but Romero circles away easily
and Romero counters with a nice low kick that buckles Madrigal's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Madrigal falls off balance throwing a combination
and Romero counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Romero misses with a head kick.
Romero throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Madrigal's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Romero drives through with a takedown into guard.

Romero thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Romero drops back looking for a leg! Madrigal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Madrigal manages to kick Romero off! Romero jumps back into Madrigal's guard.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Madrigal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Madrigal has his foot on Romero's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Romero works his way back into a safe position though.
Madrigal can't keep his opponent in guard - Romero advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Madrigal is defending against the submission attempts here by Romero.
Madrigal is trying to stand.

Romero is working for a submission of some sort.
Madrigal wants to get back to full guard.
Romero working the head and body with strikes.
Madrigal is looking for a sweep. Romero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Romero is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Madrigal is just riding it out for now. Romero eventually gives up the hold.
Romero frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Romero lands a heavy elbow.

Madrigal is rocked!

Romero has hold of Madrigal's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Madrigal manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Oh Madrigal is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Romero connects with a bit shot that sees Madrigal covering up! More strikes from Romero and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Romero is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nicodemo Romero!
Nicodemo Romero made sure to mention his sponsor, Fury Nutrition in his post fight interview.
The defeated Julio Madrigal had this to say: 'Props to him, he beat me fair and square this time. I will go back to the gym and get better, I'm going to win my belt back.'.