PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mircea Lucarescu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Malingo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eddie Malingo is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Lucarescu
vs
Malingo

171 cm
24
144 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
151 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Amped Performance

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mircea Lucarescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eddie Malingo!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lucarescu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malingo let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Malingo throws a hook but Lucarescu blocks it.
Lucarescu looks to land a left hand but Malingo moved out of range nicely.
Lucarescu misses the shot to the body.
Lucarescu takes a swing at Malingo's ribcage but misses.
Malingo only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Malingo shoots in but Lucarescu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Malingo takes a swing at Lucarescu's ribcage but misses.
Malingo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Lucarescu is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Lucarescu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lucarescu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Malingo doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucarescu connects with a looping right hand.
Lucarescu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Malingo on the side of the head.
Lucarescu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lucarescu jabs Malingo to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucarescu just misses with a punch to the body.
A leg kick checked by Lucarescu.
Lucarescu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Malingo looks to land a right hand but Lucarescu moved out of range.
Lucarescu misses with a wild body shot.
Lucarescu is looking to wear down Malingo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lucarescu moves away from the strike by Malingo.
Malingo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lucarescu lands with an overhand left.
Lucarescu takes a swing at Malingo's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Malingo.
Malingo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Lucarescu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Malingo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Malingo scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu misses with a looping left.
Malingo moves out of range as Lucarescu strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lucarescu throws a jab but it's blocked by Malingo.
Malingo avoids the body shot from Lucarescu.
Malingo throws out a counter right but Lucarescu avoids it with no problem.
A big left from Lucarescu misses.
Lucarescu staying out of range there.
Lucarescu connects with a body shot that sends Malingo's belly button to the back.
Lucarescu misses the body punch
and Malingo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lucarescu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malingo manages to avoid it.
Malingo throws out a counter right but Lucarescu avoids it with no problem.
Mircea Lucarescu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malingo throws a shot from downtown. Lucarescu moves away and avoids it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Malingo, as that shot connected.
Malingo cracks Lucarescu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lucarescu throws a right hand that misses
and Malingo counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malingo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Malingo throws a lazy uppercut
letting Lucarescu counter with a right hand.
Lucarescu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lucarescu slips under a jab from Malingo.
Malingo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Malingo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lucarescu. Malingo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lucarescu lands a nice shot that snaps Malingo's head back.
Malingo slips under a jab.
Malingo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lucarescu throws a left and a right that both miss
and Malingo counters with a left and a right that stings Lucarescu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lucarescu swings for the body but Malingo moves out of range.
Mircea Lucarescu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Lucarescu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lucarescu pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Malingo back to the cage. Lucarescu follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lucarescu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Malingo misses with a wild body shot.
Lucarescu throws a nice looking combination but Malingo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lucarescu falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Malingo counter with a right hand.
Lucarescu lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lucarescu works Malingo's body with a nice hook.
Lucarescu with a hook.
Malingo might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A combination from Lucarescu does no damage.
Lucarescu lands with a good body shot.
Jab by Lucarescu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mircea Lucarescu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Malingo tries to work over Lucarescu's front leg with a kick but Lucarescu checks it.
Decent striking displayed by Lucarescu there.
Malingo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malingo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lucarescu.
Lucarescu throws a jab but it's blocked by Malingo.
Malingo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lucarescu tries to bum rush Malingo with a series of wild strikes but Malingo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lucarescu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lucarescu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Malingo might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Lucarescu has got the better of the exchanges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Lucarescu.
Malingo feints the counter takedown.
Malingo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Lucarescu misses with a right hand
and Malingo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lucarescu digs a good body shot into Malingo's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucarescu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lucarescu misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Malingo counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lucarescu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lucarescu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Malingo throws a leg kick but Lucarescu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Malingo lands with an overhand left.
Malingo connects with a body shot.
Lucarescu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lucarescu throws a jab but it's blocked by Malingo.
Malingo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice body punch from Lucarescu.
Malingo avoids the body shot from Lucarescu.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Malingo! But no joy.
Lucarescu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lucarescu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Malingo can do to turn this around?
Lucarescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Malingo is just out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Malingo! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malingo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A cross from Malingo lands.
Lucarescu misses the shot to the body.
Malingo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lucarescu throwing a counter right hand but Malingo manages to avoid it.
Lucarescu scores with a jab. Malingo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lucarescu throws a left and a right that both miss
and Malingo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malingo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Malingo dodges the punch combination from Lucarescu.
Lucarescu throws a hook but Malingo blocks it.
Lucarescu lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu misses with a body shot.
Malingo is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lucarescu with a body shot.
Lucarescu misses with a looping left.
Malingo looks to land a left hand but Lucarescu moved out of range nicely.
Lucarescu throws a body shot but no joy.
Malingo appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Malingo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lucarescu throws a predictable looking body shot

and Malingo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lucarescu is trying to get back to full guard.
Lucarescu wants to control but Malingo is keeping busy.
Lucarescu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Malingo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lucarescu has hold of Malingo's hands but Malingo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lucarescu wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu is looking to control Malingo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lucarescu avoid being mounted?
Malingo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lucarescu tries to get to full guard but Malingo has control of the leg.
Malingo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lucarescu!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lucarescu gets back to half guard.
Lucarescu has a hand on Malingo's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Malingo takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Lucarescu is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lucarescu is trying desperately to improve position.
Malingo landing strikes from the mount.
Lucarescu is trying to escape the mount.
Malingo landing strikes from the mount and Lucarescu is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eddie Malingo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lucarescu misses with a right hand
and Malingo counters with a right hand to the body.
Lucarescu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Malingo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lucarescu thinking.
Lucarescu throws a body punch but Malingo moves out of range.
Lucarescu misses with a hook. Malingo ducked under it nicely.
Lucarescu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lucarescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Malingo is just out of range.
Malingo appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lucarescu lands a nice hook to Malingo's body. Malingo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lucarescu lands a nice looking body shot.
Malingo looks to land a right hand but Lucarescu moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucarescu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lucarescu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Malingo.
The fighters circling - Lucarescu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucarescu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Malingo.
Lucarescu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A jab from Malingo does it's job there.
Malingo misses with a hook.
Malingo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lucarescu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lucarescu takes a swing at Malingo's ribcage but misses.
Lucarescu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lucarescu just misses with a punch to the body.
Lucarescu scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Malingo swings for the body but Lucarescu moves out of range.
Lucarescu with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malingo.
Lucarescu misses the shot to the body.
Mircea Lucarescu is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malingo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Malingo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Lucarescu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Malingo! But no joy.
Lucarescu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Malingo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lucarescu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Malingo moves away.
Lucarescu scores with a jab.
Lucarescu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Malingo to score with a decent uppercut.
Malingo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lucarescu.
Malingo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Malingo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Malingo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lucarescu throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Malingo to counter with a crisp jab.
Lucarescu lands a nice shot that snaps Malingo's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malingo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lucarescu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Malingo thinking.
Malingo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lucarescu.
Lucarescu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malingo was well out of range. Poor timing from Lucarescu.
It seemed like Malingo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Malingo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lucarescu misses with a wild body shot.
Malingo throws a shot from downtown. Lucarescu moves away and avoids it.
Lucarescu throws a hook to the side of Malingo's head but Malingo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And Malingo tries to counter it with a takedown but Lucarescu pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lucarescu misses with a hook to the body
and Malingo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Malingo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lucarescu manages to avoid it.
Lucarescu misses with a body punch
and Malingo counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circling - Lucarescu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Malingo appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lucarescu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Malingo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucarescu misses with a hook. Malingo ducked under it nicely.
Lucarescu stuns Malingo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lucarescu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Malingo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lucarescu throws out the jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Malingo.
Lucarescu throws a body punch but Malingo moves out of range.
Lucarescu swings widly with a right hand

and Malingo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Malingo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lucarescu is trying to get back to full guard.
Malingo trying to control the action but Lucarescu is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mircea Lucarescu.
I think Lucarescu 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mircea Lucarescu!
In his post fight interview, Mircea Lucarescu started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.