PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Nathan (ranked 1833 p4p, 225 weight class) and Edwin Lucan (ranked 3754 p4p, 418 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nathan
vs
Lucan

175 cm
28
189 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

189 cm
26
199 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Nathan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Edwin Lucan!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lucan fails with the takedown
and Nathan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nathan scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lucan scores with a punch to the head.
A head kick by Lucan misses
and Nathan counters with a nice leg kick.
Edwin Lucan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lucan throws a head kick that misses.
Nathan misses with a low kick as Lucan jumps back.
Nathan chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Nathan takes the fight into the clinch.
Lucan is trying to break the clinch but Nathan is controlling him.
Lucan tries to break free but Nathan pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nathan slowing the pace effectively.
I was talking to Nathan's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Lucan is trying to break the clinch but Nathan has him pressed against the cage.
Lucan is trying to break the clinch but Nathan has him pressed against the cage.
Nathan lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lucan or not.
Lucan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nathan is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucan working hard to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Nathan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lucan misses with some punches.
Nathan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nathan misses with a punch to the body.
Lucan is trying to break the clinch but Nathan has him pressed against the cage.
Nathan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Lucan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nathan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Lucan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lucan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lucan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nathan has him pressed against the cage.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lucan being controlled against the cage.
Nathan scores with a shot to the side of Lucan's head.
Nathan lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nathan digs a right hand into Lucan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lucan's gas tank.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nathan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nathan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nathan displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lucan up against the cage.

Lucan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nathan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lucan seems to be working for a kimura but Nathan defends the submission attempt.

Lucan is working for a kimura but Nathan is defending it quite comfortably.

Nathan looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucan is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Lucan is keen to just control but Nathan is a slippery customer.
Lucan prevents Nathan from improving his position.
Lucan trying to mount his opponent but Nathan defends it.
Lucan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nathan is looking to control Lucan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nathan avoid being mounted?

Nathan looking for submissions off his back.

Lucan stands up out of the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucan throws a sloppy head kick and Nathan moves out of range easily.
Lucan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lucan throws a one two combo.

It looks like Ray Nathan has been cut.

Lucan gets a clinch.
Nathan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lucan lands a nice uppercut.
Nathan lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lucan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nathan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ray Nathan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edwin Lucan.
Nathan digs a right hand into Lucan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lucan's gas tank.
Nathan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lucans head.
Lucan tries to score a body lock takedown but Nathan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nathan can't find room to land a body shot as Lucan controls the action.
Nathan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lucan's elbow.
Nathan taking a breather.
Nathan tries a body shot but Lucan blocks it.
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 Ray Nathan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ray Nathan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lucan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nathan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lucan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Nathan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lucan.
Lucan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lucan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lucan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lucan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nathan counters with a leg kick.
Lucan misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nathan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lucan's knee momentarily.
Lucan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nathan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lucan cracks a nice hook into Nathan's ribs.
Edwin Lucan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nathan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lucan fails to land with a series of punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A thudding body kick lands there by Nathan!
Lucan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lucan has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucan looks to land a body kick but Nathan moved away.
Nathan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lucan. Nathan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lucan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nathan.
Lucan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lucan misses with a few strikes there.
Lucan is breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lucan.
Lucan tries to clinch but Nathan moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lucan throws a poor cross that misses
and Nathan counters with a thumping low kick.
Nathan thumps Lucan with a low kick.
Ray Nathan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nathan swings for the body but Lucan moves out of range.
Nathan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lucan throws a fast counter high kick but Nathan manages to duck under it in time.
Nathan tries to close the distance and clinch but Lucan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Lucan is predictable there
and Nathan counters with a nice uppercut.
Nathan moves out of range as Lucan strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nathan. Lucan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lucan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lucan takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lucan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nathan counters with a body kick.
Lucan throws a series of punches but Nathan moves out of range.
Nathan throws a leg kick which misses Lucan's front leg but catches the back leg as Lucan tries to avoid it.
Lucan moves in looking to clinch but Nathan pushes him off.
Lucan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nathan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nathan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lucan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nathan.
Lucan throws a sloppy head kick and Nathan moves out of range easily.

Nathan moves into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nathan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nathan leaning his opponent against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Lucan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Lucan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lucan is looking to control Nathan's arms but Nathan gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lucan has his back to the cage.
Nathan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lucan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nathan misses with a body punch.
Nathan is pressed up against the cage. Lucan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nathan down to the mat. Nathan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ray Nathan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edwin Lucan.
Lucan has his takedown stuffed
and Nathan counters with a good low kick that Lucan was not able to check.
Lucan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nathan counters with an inside leg kick.
Lucan throws a series of punches but Nathan moves out of range.
Nathan circles away from the clinch attempt
and Nathan counters with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucan darts in looking for a takedown but Nathan gets double underhooks and turns Lucan into the cage.
Nathan is looking for a counter combo.

Nathan moves into the clinch.
Lucan is trying to break the clinch but Nathan is controlling him.
Nathan is leaning against Lucan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nathan stalling the fight.
Nathan stalling the fight.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nathan.
A head punch on the inside from Lucan fails to land.
Nathan has Lucan pressed against the cage.
Nathan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nathan pushes Lucan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nathan cracks Lucan with a nice body shot.
A frustrated look appears on Lucan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Nathan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ray Nathan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nathan moves into range and clinches up with Lucan.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nathan.
Nice body punch from Nathan - that landed with a thud.
Lucan letting Nathan take a breather here.
Nathan misses with a punch to the body.
Nathan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Nathan as the two fighters clinch.
Lucan is looking to break free of the clinch but Nathan has double underhooks.
Nathan stalls.
Lucan wants to get back to striking at distance but Nathan won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucan blocks a body shot from Nathan.
Lucan wants to take the fight to the mat but Nathan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nathan misses with a punch to the body.
Nathan blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Nathan.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nathan scores with a shot to the side of Lucan's head.
Nathan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nathan lands a body punch.
Lucan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nathan gets underhooks to prevent Lucan's takedown attempt.
Lucan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Lucan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nathan works Lucan's body with a nice hook.
Lucan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nathan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nathan tries to clinch up but Lucan circles away and keeps his distance.
That kick from Nathan tenderised Lucan's leg. Lucan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lucan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nathan doesn't manage to clinch there - Lucan circles away.
Lucan misses with a right hand
and Nathan counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lucan avoids a kick to the body.
Lucan feints the counter takedown.

Nathan closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lucan tries to break the clinch but Nathan is controlling the position.
A short left from Nathan.
Lucan working hard to break the clinch.

Lucan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nathan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lucan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lucan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nathan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ray Nathan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edwin Lucan.
Nathan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nathan lands a nice hook to Lucan's body. Lucan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lucan throws a lazy uppercut
and Nathan counters with a leg kick.
Lucan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nathan lands a nice shot to the body.
Ray Nathan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucan misses with a two punch combination.
Lucan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nathan wants to clinch.
Nathan wants to clinch.
Nathan moves out of range as Lucan strikes.
Lucan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Nathan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nathan lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nathan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucan misses with a jab, cross combination.
A counter left hand to the body from Nathan misses its target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nathan.
Lucan tries for a takedown but Nathan circles away easily
and Nathan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
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!
Nathan slips under a jab from Lucan.
Nathan appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lucan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice body kick from Nathan.
Lucan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nathan counters with a leg kick.
Lucan has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nathan.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nathan - that will leave a mark!
Nice body punch from Nathan.
Lucan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
No joy there for Lucan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nathan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Edwin Lucan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A slapping body kick lands there for Nathan.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Nathan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nathan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Nathan!
A very excited looking Ray Nathan made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.