PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Finlay Darrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Luchit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luchit comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Adelitas Way - The Collapse kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Darrow
vs
Luchit

169 cm
25
147 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Finlay Darrow!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Luchit!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darrow throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darrow misses with an attempted mid kick.
Luchit feints the counter takedown.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Luchit checks a leg kick.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Darrow slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Darrow attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Luchit feints the counter takedown.
Darrow tried to score with a low kick but Luchit checks it.
Darrow scores with a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Luchit is out of range.
And Luchit tries to counter it with a takedown but Darrow pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Darrow throws a sloppy head kick and Luchit moves out of range easily.
Darrow misses with a lunging right hand

and Luchit counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Darrow!

Luchit is trying to get an arm triangle but Darrow is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Luchit is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Darrow has escaped the position, nice work there.

Luchit swings around for an armbar but Darrow sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Luchit's guard.

Luchit looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Luchit is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Luchit working a defensive guard here.
Darrow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Luchit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Darrow stays in close to Luchit's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luchit looking to hit a scissor sweep but Darrow is one step ahead there.
Darrow sitting in guard here, content to control.
Luchit seems keen to control Darrow's posture.
Luchit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Luchit is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Luchit throws his legs up looking for a submission but Darrow uses it to pass to side control.
Luchit tries to buck Darrow off but Darrow is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darrow slows the pace down.
Luchit is trying to control Darrow's posture but Darrow avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow happy to just control the position for now.
Darrow is looking to take a break and control but Luchit is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Luchit is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
A control attempt from Luchit but he's now mounted!
Darrow lands with some strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luchit is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Luchit is trying desperately to improve position.
Darrow controlling his opponent.
Luchit tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Darrow looking to control and managing it successfully.
Luchit tries to hold on but Darrow postures up.
Luchit working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Darrow looking to control and managing it successfully.
Luchit tries to lock up and control but Darrow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Darrow dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Darrow tries to clinch there but Luchit circles away.
Luchit tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luchit avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Darrow just misses with a punch to the body.
Darrow will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Darrow misses with a body shot.
Luchit feints the counter takedown.
Luchit takes one to the chin there.
Darrow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Luchit can do to turn this around?
The fight stays on the outside here - Darrow looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luchit avoids a kick to the body.
Luchit feints the counter takedown.
Darrow tries to score with a low kick but Luchit moves his leg out of the way.
Luchit drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Darrow defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Luchit is out of range.
Luchit tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Darrow looks to score with a jab to the body but Luchit is just out of range.
And Luchit tries to counter it with a takedown but Darrow pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Darrow throws the left hand but Luchit avoids the punch easily.
Darrow throws a low kick but Luchit moves out of range easily.
Luchit is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Luchit tries to keep at a distance but Darrow has taken the fight into the clinch.
Luchit tries to pull guard but Darrow won't allow it.
Luchit fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Luchit tries to pull guard but Darrow holds him up against the cage and eventually Luchit drops back down to his feet.
Finlay Darrow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Luchit.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Luchit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darrow gets through Luchit's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Luchit jumps into guard, dragging Darrow to the mat.
Luchit working a defensive guard but Darrow passes into half guard.
Luchit has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Darrow is working away from the top position though.
Darrow tries to pass the half guard into mount. Luchit knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Luchit trying to control from the bottom.
Luchit gets back to full guard.
Darrow throwing strikes from guard but Luchit blocks nicely.
Darrow is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Luchit trying to keep a closed guard but Darrow is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow tries to free his leg and advance position but Luchit is retaining full guard.
Luchit wants to sweep here but Darrow controlling him for the moment.
Luchit keeping full guard, as Darrow tries to pass.
Darrow won't allow Luchit to sweep him here.
Luchit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Luchit wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Darrow is now in half guard.
Darrow stalling.
Luchit is trying to get back to full guard.

Luchit looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Luchit wants to control but Darrow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Well, if Darrow is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Luchit wants to control but Darrow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Darrow performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Darrow is thwarting Luchit's attempts to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Darrow looks to score with a jab to the body but Luchit is just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Darrow misses the shot to the body.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Darrow takes a swing at Luchit's ribcage but misses.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Darrow just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Darrow dominated that second round.
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.

Darrow throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Darrow throws a low kick but it's checked well by Luchit.
Darrow moves to clinch but Luchit breaks away

and Luchit counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Luchit won't allow Darrow to sweep him here.
Luchit tries to free his leg and advance position but Darrow is retaining full guard.
Luchit must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Luchit pushing down on Darrow's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luchit wants to pass the guard but Darrow is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Luchit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Darrow keeps working.
Luchit stalling away here and it's allowed Darrow to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Luchit is looking to pass into half guard but Darrow pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Darrow is in guard.

Darrow sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Luchit is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Luchit is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Luchit looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Our spies down at at Canadian Top Team inform us that Luchit has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Luchit keeping full guard, as Darrow tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darrow stays in close to Luchit's body and controls the position.
Darrow postures up.
Finlay Darrow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Luchit needs to keep his hands up - Darrow had a free shot at his head there.
Luchit checks the leg kick.
Luchit with the counter takedown but Darrow avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow fails in his attempt to clinch.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Darrow is looking to wear down Luchit with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Luchit checks a leg kick nicely.

Darrow is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Luchit's half guard.
Darrow stalling.
Darrow is trying to control. Luchit wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Luchit wants to improve his position but Darrow is controlling well.
Darrow seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Luchit does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Darrow in particular looking to stall.
Luchit is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luchit wants to control but Darrow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Darrow sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Luchit is concentrating on defense, preventing Darrow from advancing position.
Luchit tries to roll over but Darrow keeps him under control.

Darrow moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Luchit.
Luchit is trying to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Darrow clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Darrow fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Darrow closes the distance and pushes Luchit back into the cage.
Luchit tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Darrow smiles and moves away.
Luchit defending well as Darrow loads up on a big left hand.
And Luchit tries to counter it with a takedown but Darrow pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Luchit blocks a leg kick.
Luchit is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Darrow throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Darrow throws a head kick but Luchit moves out of range.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Darrow swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Darrow attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And Luchit tries to counter it with a takedown but Darrow pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Luchit's calf.
Darrow throws a body punch but Luchit moves out of range.
Luchit feints the counter takedown.
Luchit blocks a head kick by Darrow.
Luchit with the counter takedown but Darrow avoids it easily.
Darrow tests Luchit's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Darrow lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Darrow darts in and clinches Luchit up against the cage.
Darrow misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Darrow throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luchit tries to pull guard but Darrow forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Luchit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike.
Luchit blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Luchit's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Darrow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Luchit jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Darrow walks away with a smile on his face. Luchit gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Finlay Darrow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Luchit.
Luchit blocks a leg kick.
And Luchit tries to counter it with a takedown but Darrow pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Darrow finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Luchit with the counter takedown but Darrow avoids it easily.
Finlay Darrow is winning the standup battle so far.

Darrow shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Darrow was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luchit controls the position for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luchit tries to buck Darrow off but Darrow is having none of it.
Luchit is trying to control Darrow's posture but Darrow avoids it.
Darrow has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Luchit tries to lock up and control but Darrow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Darrow has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Luchit's face.
Darrow content just to control the position here.
Luchit is desperately trying to improve his position but Darrow has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luchit is squirming around, avoiding Darrow's attempts to control the action.
Darrow is really struggling to control Luchit but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Darrow lands a nice shot to the head.
Darrow looking to control and managing it successfully.
Luchit wants to control but Darrow is having none of it.
Darrow controlling from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Luchit is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Luchit regains half guard.
Luchit is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Darrow had his way with Dan Luchit in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Darrow finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Darrow throws a low kick but Luchit avoids it.
Luchit changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Darrow misses with a leg kick

and Luchit counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Darrow!

Luchit swings around for an armbar but Darrow sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Luchit's guard.

Luchit is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Darrow works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Luchit gets full guard.
Darrow 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.
Luchit controls Darrow momentarily but Darrow frees himself.
Darrow passes Luchit's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luchit tries to roll over but Darrow keeps him under control.
Luchit wants to control but Darrow is keeping busy.
Darrow passes into side control, despite Luchit's attempt to control the position.
Luchit is not content to let Darrow control the position.
You can see the frustration on Luchit's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Luchit gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Darrow controlling the pace.
Dan Luchit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Luchit is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Darrow jumps into side control!
Luchit is trying to control Darrow's posture but Darrow avoids it.
Darrow content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Luchit is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Luchit has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Darrow is working away from the top position though.
Luchit is trying to get back to full guard.
Luchit is looking to control Darrow's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Luchit avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Darrow seems content to control.
Luchit is looking for a sweep. Darrow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Luchit looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Luchit tries to roll over but Darrow keeps him under control.
Luchit is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Luchit is looking to control Darrow's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Luchit avoid being mounted?
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Finlay Darrow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luchit is trying to get back to full guard.
Darrow performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Darrow lands with a good body shot.

Darrow looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Darrow prevents Luchit from improving his position.
Luchit is still trying to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Luchit is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Darrow pulls his head out easily.

Luchit with the active half guard here but Darrow passes nicely into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Finlay Darrow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Darrow has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 50:44
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:44
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finlay Darrow!
Finlay Darrow is the new bantamweight champion!