PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kyrie Irving (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Carlos Luciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Irving
vs
Carlos Luciano

182 cm
22
178 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
178 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kyrie Irving!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Carlos Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Irving misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Irving does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good work by Irving as he checks the leg kick.
Irving throws a series of punches but Luciano moves out of range.
Luciano lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Irving misses the shot to the body.
Luciano moves out of range as Irving strikes.
Irving looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Luciano misses
and Irving counters with a nice uppercut.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Irving moves away.
Irving throws a poor cross that misses
and Luciano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Irving at a distance.
Irving throws a right hand that misses
and Luciano counters with a right hand to the body.
Luciano is looking to land body kicks.
Irving throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irving misses with a lunging right hand
and Luciano counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Luciano is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Irving rather than just go for the knockout.
Irving lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Luciano throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Luciano throws a body punch but Irving moves out of range.
Irving lands with a good body shot.
Irving throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luciano sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Irving stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Luciano.
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!
Irving misses with a lunging right hand
and Luciano counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Irving does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Irving was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Luciano.
Luciano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Luciano keeps Irving at a distance using the push kick.
Luciano lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Kyrie Irving has been cut.
Irving throws a body shot but no joy.
Luciano is looking for the big counter here.
That kick from Luciano tenderised Irving's leg. Irving is trying to keep his angry face on.
Irving lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Luciano circles away quickly and effectively.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
It looked like Irving wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a body kick that misses
and Irving counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luciano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Irving comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Irving misses with a looping left.
Luciano scores with a shot to the body.
Luciano throws a shot from downtown. Irving moves away and avoids it.
Luciano lands a nice shot to the body.
Irving misses with a straight right.
Jab from Irving.
Irving takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano misses with a hook
and Irving counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luciano changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Luciano throws a nice head kick!
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Irving ducks down to avoid it.
As Luciano looks to move away, Irving throws a big counter combo but Luciano just gets out of the way.
No joy there for Irving, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Luciano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice shot by Luciano.
Luciano walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Irving checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
An attempted straight right counter from Irving misses the target.
Luciano cracks Irving with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Irving throws a shot from downtown. Luciano moves away and avoids it.
Irving walks into a straight right hand from Luciano.
Luciano throws a sloppy head kick and Irving moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Carlos Luciano dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kyrie Irving's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Irving scores with a jab.
Luciano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Irving was well out of range. Poor timing from Luciano.
Luciano lands a jab to the head.
Irving pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Luciano takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Irving moves forwards but Luciano connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Luciano digs a good body shot into Irving's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luciano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Irving misses with a looping left.
Luciano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Irving throws a looping overhand right but Luciano ducks down to avoid it.
Luciano follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Irving looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Irving is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Irving.
Irving throws a body punch but Luciano moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Luciano! But no joy.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Irving might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Luciano walks into a jab.
Luciano moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Irving misses with an uppercut.
A nice side step and Luciano releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Luciano connects with a high kick.
Irving misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a sloppy head kick and Irving moves out of range easily.
Luciano connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Irving's hands.
Good leg kick by Luciano there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Irving ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Irving does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luciano scores with a hook to the body. Irving takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luciano moves forwards but Irving connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Luciano lands a slapping body shot.
A big right from Irving misses.
Luciano throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irving looks to land a combination but Luciano avoids it well.
Irving scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Irving blocks the body kick.
It looked like Irving wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Irving takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Luciano defending well as Irving loads up on a big left hand.
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Irving steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Irving thows a left - swing and a miss!
Irving throws the left hand but Luciano avoids the punch easily.
Irving walks forward, straight into a front kick from Luciano.
Luciano uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Irving has time to react.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Irving backs off Luciano throws a huge counter combo but Irving manages to avoid it all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Irving rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Luciano counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Irving.
Luciano looks to throw the jab but Irving is out of range.
Irving was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A head kick misses from Luciano.
Irving takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Irving.
Irving throws a lazy uppercut
and Luciano counters with a right hand to the body.
Luciano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Irving at a distance.
A left lands for Irving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Carlos Luciano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kyrie Irving's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Luciano explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Luciano throws a head kick that misses
and Irving counters with a stiff right hand.
Luciano lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Irving misses with a hook.
Luciano scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Irving misses the target.
A punch lands to the side of Irving 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Luciano feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Irving sprawling to the canvas! Irving rolls over backwards and springs off the ropes and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Luciano finish him?!

Irving is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano throws a body punch but Irving moves out of range.
Oh Irving is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Luciano scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano blocks a jab.
Nice body punch from Irving.
Irving jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Irving seems to have got his legs back now.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luciano now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Irving looks to throw the jab but Luciano is out of range.
Luciano thinks about the counter body kick.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Irving was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Irving throws a jab but it's blocked by Luciano.
Luciano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Irving throws a shot from downtown. Luciano moves away and avoids it.
Irving doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irving jabs Luciano to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jose Carlos Luciano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Luciano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Irving.
A solid body kick from Luciano.
Irving swings widly with a right hand
and Luciano makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Well,Irving is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Luciano looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Luciano works the jab nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irving steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Luciano. That one must have hurt.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Irving.
Luciano scores with a body shot.
Luciano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a sloppy head kick and Irving moves out of range easily.
Luciano moves forwards but Irving connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Irving lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Luciano lets loose with a powerful body kick. Irving will feel that in the morning.
Jab from Luciano.
Irving looks to land a right hand but Luciano moved out of range.
And Luciano responds with a good body kick, but Irving manages to step out the way in time.
Irving will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Luciano comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Irving bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luciano changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kyrie Irving has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irving swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Irving looks to throw the jab but Luciano is out of range.
Luciano now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Irving blocks the body kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Irving misses its target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Luciano - that will leave a mark!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jose Carlos Luciano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Irving gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Luciano.
Irving doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Luciano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Irving crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Luciano - the referee stops the clock and Irving gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Luciano. Irving manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Carlos Luciano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Luciano has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Jose Carlos Luciano!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Jose Carlos Luciano!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Jose Carlos Luciano!

Jose Carlos Luciano wins by unanimous decision!