PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Richard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucas Martinelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Richard had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Richard
vs
Martinelli

172 cm
21
151 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

177 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Richard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lucas Martinelli!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Steve Erwin and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martinelli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lucas Martinelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martinelli looks for the body kick but Richard saw that one coming.
Richard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Martinelli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Richard manages to avoid it.
Richard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Richard manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Martinelli on his heels. He'll look to pass Martinelli's guard now, I'm sure.

Martinelli has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Richard has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martinelli looking for a takedown.
James Richard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucas Martinelli.
Martinelli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard goes for a takedown attempt but Martinelli pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Richard looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Martinelli is looking to control Richard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Martinelli avoid being mounted?
Martinelli pushes Richard off but Richard dives into side control.
Martinelli sneaks back into half guard.
Richard lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinelli holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Richard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Martinelli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Martinelli trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martinelli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Martinelli has Richard pulled in close to control his posture.
Let's hope that Martinelli has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinelli thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Martinelli is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Richard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Martinelli on the ground.
Martinelli wants to control but Richard passes easily into half guard.
Richard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Martinelli tries to get to full guard but Richard has control of the leg.
Richard working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard prevents Martinelli from standing back up.
Richard lands strikes from half guard.
Ground and pound from Richard.
Martinelli is trying to stand up here but Richard is controlling him well.
Richard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Martinelli trying to hold on to Richard's head to control him but Richard postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Richard gets caught napping as Martinelli dives in and scores a takedown. Richard manages to retain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martinelli throws a big elbow that misses.
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 James Richard will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Martinelli fails with an attempt to clinch.
Martinelli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richard swivels and escapes.
Martinelli closes the distance and clinches up with Richard, looking for a takedown. Martinelli pushes Richard against the cage but Richard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Martinelli gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Richard to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Martinelli is looking to stand back up but Richard counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Martinelli.
Martinelli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Richard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Richard's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richard tries to escape the position.
James Richard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Richard is covering up but some of the strikes from Martinelli are getting through and doing damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard breaks Martinelli's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Martinelli wants to stand but Richard is controlling the position.
Richard chips away with some ground and pound.
Richard throwing strikes but missing.
Richard lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Martinelli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Richard trying to control the position from guard on top but Martinelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Martinelli is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richard trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Martinelli stopping the sweep attempt from Richard.
Martinelli slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Martinelli has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Richard wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Richard trying to get back to his feet but Martinelli is in full control for now.
Martinelli keeps control of the position as Richard tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinelli slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Richard looking very determined here, making life difficult for Martinelli.

Martinelli is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Richard is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lucas Martinelli!