PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rectal Thermometer (ranked 314 p4p, 462 weight class) and Ray Luciano (ranked 39 p4p, 55 weight class). Luciano is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: NEVER GET IT. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thermometer
vs
Luciano

185 cm
23
194
8 - 1 - 0

187 cm
23
187
8 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Conquer

Conquer
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rectal Thermometer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ray Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Luciano has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Luciano bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Thermometer's head.
Luciano fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Thermometer.
Luciano lands a nice shot to the body.
Luciano wants to clinch up but Thermometer keeps it at a distance.
A big left from Thermometer misses.
Luciano's corner calls for a 1-2. Luciano obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thermometer throws a hook but Luciano blocks it.
Thermometer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
Luciano tries to clinch but Thermometer is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Luciano. Thermometer shrugs it off though.
Luciano scores with a nice right hand.
Ray Luciano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Luciano scores with a head kick. Thermometer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Luciano with the inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Luciano lands with a slapping head kick.
Thermometer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Thermometer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thermometer connects with a looping right hand.
Thermometer throws a hook but Luciano blocks it.
Thermometer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thermometer throws a poor cross that misses
and Luciano counters with a thumping low kick.
Luciano misses with a hook
and Thermometer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thermometer throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.
Luciano wants to counter the offense by Thermometer and move into the clinch position.
Thermometer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Luciano misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Thermometer 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 throws a body punch but Thermometer moves out of range.
Thermometer slips under a jab.
Thermometer throwing a counter right hand but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thermometer moves away.
Thermometer throwing a counter right hand but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Luciano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Thermometer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Luciano wants to counter the offense by Thermometer and move into the clinch position.
Thermometer misses with an uppercut.
Thermometer is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The fighters circling - Thermometer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thermometer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Thermometer.
Thermometer lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Thermometer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Thermometer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Luciano takes the fight into the clinch.
Luciano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thermometer backwards.
Luciano tries a body shot but Thermometer blocks it.
Thermometer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Luciano lands with a light punch inside.

Thermometer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thermometer misses with a straight left.
Thermometer throws a body shot but no joy.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Thermometer.
Luciano connects with a jab.
Thermometer misses with a hook. Luciano ducked under it nicely.
Thermometer swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Luciano.
Thermometer throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
Thermometer moves out of range of the body kick.
Luciano with a nice cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thermometer.
Thermometer sets himself, and Luciano steps forward looking for the clinch! Thermometer avoids it this time.
Luciano scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thermometer doesn't seem bothered though.
Thermometer avoids the body shot from Luciano.
Luciano staying out of range there.
Luciano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Thermometer.
Luciano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thermometer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Luciano.
Luciano throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Thermometer counter with a right hand.
Thermometer looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
Luciano counters with a body kick.
Thermometer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
Luciano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thermometer.
A quick step to the side and Thermometer tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rectal Thermometer will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thermometer throws an off balance right hand
and Luciano makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Thermometer really felt that one!
Luciano throws the left hand but Thermometer avoids the punch easily.
Thermometer keeps the fight on the outside.
Luciano connects with a jab.
Luciano keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thermometer.
Thermometer just misses with a punch to the body.
Luciano pushes Thermometer away with a front kick.
Luciano tries to clinch up but Thermometer circles away and keeps his distance.
Luciano moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano's corner calls for a 1-2. Luciano obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thermometer misses with a body shot.
Luciano tries to counter by closing the distance.
Luciano lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Luciano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thermometer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A nice leg kick from Luciano, right into the meat of the thigh.
Luciano tries a head kick but it misses.
Thermometer takes a swing at Luciano's ribcage but misses.
Thermometer punishes Luciano's body with a nice straight punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thermometer, as that shot connected.
Luciano lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Thermometer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Luciano misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thermometer counters with a nice uppercut.
Luciano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thermometer misses with a looping right.
Luciano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Luciano has managed to clinch.
Luciano misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Thermometer breaks the clinch.
Thermometer throws a hook but Luciano avoids it easily.
Luciano misses with a body shot.
Thermometer is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Luciano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thermometer throws out the jab.
Thermometer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
An inside leg kick lands from Luciano.
Luciano slips under a jab from Thermometer.
Luciano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luciano steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Thermometer misses with a straight right.
Thermometer throws a hook but Luciano blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Luciano lands with a straight right. Thermometer didn't see that one coming.
Thermometer swats away the attempt to clinch by Luciano.
Thermometer stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Luciano lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thermometer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thermometer misses with an uppercut. Luciano saw that one coming.
Luciano 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.
A big left from Thermometer misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Luciano. That snapped Thermometer's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luciano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thermometer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thermometer blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thermometer.
Thermometer blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Luciano misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Luciano.

Thermometer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thermometer takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thermometer throws a big shot that misses.
Luciano gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Luciano fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Thermometer.
Luciano throws a big shot that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Luciano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Luciano misses with a low kick.
Luciano getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Thermometer looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
Luciano misses the shot to the body.
Thermometer moves forwards but Luciano connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Thermometer as he connects with a hook.
Luciano throws a big shot that misses.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Thermometer.
Luciano paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano lands a jab to Thermometer's midsection.
Thermometer misses with an uppercut. Luciano saw that one coming.
Luciano lands with a good body shot.
Thermometer drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thermometer misses with a straight right.
Luciano lands a jab to the nose.
Luciano scores with a body shot.
A big left from Thermometer misses.
Thermometer closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ray Luciano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thermometer looks to land a right hand but Luciano moved out of range.
Luciano appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Luciano defending well as Thermometer loads up on a big left hand.
Luciano lands with a nice body punch.
Thermometer swats away the attempt to clinch by Luciano.
Luciano takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer throws a looping overhand right but Luciano ducks down to avoid it.
A nice leg kick from Luciano, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thermometer throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thermometer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Thermometer throws a right hand that misses
and Luciano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Luciano slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Thermometer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thermometer on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Luciano cracks a nice hook into Thermometer's ribs.
Thermometer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thermometer misses with a body shot.
Thermometer looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thermometer throws a lazy right hand but Luciano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thermometer is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.
Luciano moves out of range as Thermometer strikes.
Thermometer tests Luciano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A jab from Thermometer misses.
Luciano is looking to slow Thermometer down with leg kicks.
Luciano takes a swing at Thermometer's ribcage but misses.
Luciano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Luciano moves out of range of the strikes.
Luciano lands a leg kick that knocks Thermometer off balance momentarily.
Thermometer misses with a looping left.
Luciano moves in looking to clinch but Thermometer pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Luciano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thermometer went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Luciano misses with a looping right.
Thermometer misses with an uppercut. Luciano saw that one coming.
Thermometer throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.
Luciano lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Luciano scores with a jab.
Thermometer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thermometer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
Luciano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thermometer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Luciano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thermometer was well out of range. Poor timing from Luciano.
It looked like Thermometer wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ray Luciano just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thermometer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Thermometer works Luciano's body with a nice hook.
Luciano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Luciano moves into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Luciano.
Thermometer gets through Luciano's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Luciano misses with a punch to the body.
Luciano lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Thermometer breaks the clinch.
Luciano slips under a jab from Thermometer.
Thermometer backing away here, and Luciano unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Luciano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thermometer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano slips under a jab from Thermometer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thermometer misses with a shot to the body
and Luciano counters with an inside leg kick.
Luciano is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Luciano clinches.
A short uppercut from Thermometer.
Luciano lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A frustrated look appears on Thermometer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Luciano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thermometer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ray Luciano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Thermometer lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Luciano backwards.

Thermometer manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Thermometer misses the target.
Thermometer lands with a straight right. Luciano didn't see that one coming.
Thermometer moves out of range of the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thermometer.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thermometer throws a predictable looking body shot
and Luciano counters with a left and a right that stings Thermometer.
Thermometer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Luciano swings for the body but Thermometer moves out of range.
Luciano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thermometer on the side of the head.
Thermometer misses with a looping left.
Thermometer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
An inside leg kick lands from Luciano.
Thermometer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Luciano. Luciano obviously looking to wear him down.
Thermometer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Luciano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thermometer cracks Luciano with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Luciano tries to clinch but Thermometer is having none of it.
A jab from Luciano does it's job there.
Luciano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thermometer.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Luciano jabs at Thermometer's body.
Luciano is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Luciano moves into the clinch.
Luciano throws a punch but it's blocked by Thermometer.
Luciano misses with a punch on the inside.

Thermometer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Luciano moves away from the strike by Thermometer.
And Luciano responds with a good body kick, but Thermometer manages to step out the way in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer misses with an uppercut.
A nice leg kick from Luciano, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thermometer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Thermometer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano lands with a kick to the ribs.
Luciano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Luciano clinches with his opponent.
Luciano misses with some punches.
Thermometer lands with a short shot to the head.
Thermometer takes a shot to the head.
Luciano swings wildly with an uppercut but Thermometer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thermometer lands a nice shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Thermometer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Luciano dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Thermometer. Luciano does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Luciano. That's going to slow Thermometer down.
A big right from Thermometer misses.
Thermometer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Luciano was well out of range. Poor timing from Thermometer.
Luciano throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Luciano closes the distance and clinches.
Thermometer lands a left hand that snaps the head of Luciano backwards.
Luciano misses with a punch on the inside.
Luciano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thermometer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Luciano has him pressed against the cage.
Thermometer blocks an uppercut.
Thermometer tries a body shot but Luciano blocks it.
Luciano misses with a punch to the body.
Thermometer tries to circle away but Luciano has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thermometer takes a shot to the head.
Luciano throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Thermometers head.
A right hand to the body from Luciano.
Thermometer throws a punch but it's blocked by Luciano.
Thermometer wants to get back to striking at distance but Luciano won't allow it.
Thermometer is trying to break free.
Luciano working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thermometer prevents a body shot from Luciano.
A short right from Luciano on the inside.
Thermometer lands with a right to the head.
Luciano swings wildly with an uppercut but Thermometer uses good head movement to avoid it.
I was talking to Thermometer's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Luciano tries to throw a body punch but Thermometer avoids it by throwing Luciano back against the cage.
Luciano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Luciano struggles to land a body shot inside as Thermometer controls his hands.
Thermometer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thermometer breaks the clinch.
Thermometer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
Luciano slips under a jab.
Luciano lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An inside leg kick lands from Luciano.
Thermometer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Luciano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fighters circling - Thermometer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Luciano works Thermometer's body with a nice hook.
A jab from Thermometer misses.
Thermometer throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Luciano was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Thermometer throws a lazy uppercut
and Luciano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thermometer misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thermometer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thermometer was well out of range. Poor timing from Luciano.
Luciano lands a jab to Thermometer's midsection.
Thermometer walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Thermometer scores with a punch to the head.
Rectal Thermometer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luciano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Luciano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Thermometer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luciano staying out of range there.
Luciano takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thermometer throws a jab but it's blocked by Luciano.
Luciano unleashes a big counter combination but Thermometer bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano thumps Thermometer with a low kick.
Luciano throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thermometer on the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Luciano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thermometer looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Luciano tries to clinch up but Thermometer circles away and keeps his distance.
Thermometer takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Luciano thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Thermometer if he has to take too many more of those.
Luciano lands with a cross.
Luciano fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thermometer cracks Luciano with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Thermometer misses with a hook. Luciano ducked under it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Gold scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Luciano!
Ray Luciano is the new middleweight champion!
Ray Luciano decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.