PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iulian Simionescu (ranked 2012 p4p, 886 weight class) and Tony Luciano (ranked 281 p4p, 137 weight class). Tony Luciano will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Simionescu
vs
Luciano

177 cm
26
238
4 - 0 - 0

196 cm
26
260
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Iulian Simionescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tony Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simionescu lands a jab to the nose.
Simionescu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Simionescu scores with a sloppy right hand. Luciano should have avoided that one.
Luciano swinging wildly here.
Luciano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simionescu.
Tony Luciano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simionescu throws a jab but it's blocked by Luciano.
Simionescu misses with a straight right.
Luciano slips a straight right by Simionescu.
Luciano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simionescu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano blocks a jab.
Luciano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simionescu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Simionescu lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simionescu throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.
Simionescu scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Luciano swings widly with a right hand
and Simionescu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Simionescu thuds his right hand into Luciano's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Simionescu.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Simionescu lands with a good body shot.
Luciano slips under a jab from Simionescu.
Luciano looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Luciano fails to land with a series of punches.
Simionescu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a lazy right hand but Simionescu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A quick step to the side and Simionescu tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Simionescu moves away from the strike by Luciano.
Simionescu ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Luciano misses with a straight left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simionescu slips a straight right by Luciano.
Luciano throws a lazy uppercut
and Simionescu makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Simionescu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Luciano takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
An attempted straight right counter from Simionescu misses the target.
Simionescu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Luciano.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Simionescu's head but Simionescu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An attempted straight right counter from Simionescu misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano staying out of range there.
Luciano misses with a double jab
and Simionescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simionescu is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Luciano throws an off balance right hand
and Simionescu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Simionescu's head but Simionescu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luciano throws a right hand that misses
and Simionescu counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Luciano throws a lazy uppercut
and Simionescu counters with a left to the body.
Simionescu throws out a loose jab but Luciano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano misses with a left hand
and Simionescu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simionescu lands a jab to Luciano's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Simionescu misses the target.
Simionescu lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Luciano takes a shot to the body in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Luciano throws a shot from downtown. Simionescu moves away and avoids it.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Simionescu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Simionescu.
Luciano blocks a jab.
Simionescu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Luciano was well out of range. Poor timing from Simionescu.
Luciano looks to throw the jab but Simionescu is out of range.
Luciano lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iulian Simionescu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Simionescu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Simionescu lands a right hook to the body.
Simionescu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Simionescu is looking to counter punch.
Simionescu defending well as Luciano loads up on a big left hand.
Simionescu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simionescu connects with a jab.
Luciano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano tests Simionescu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Luciano throws a lazy uppercut
and Simionescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Luciano takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Simionescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Luciano misses with an uppercut. Simionescu saw that one coming.
Simionescu has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Simionescu throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Luciano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simionescu throwing a counter right hand but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Luciano takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nice straight punches there by Luciano. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Luciano.
Simionescu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Luciano! But no joy.
Luciano misses with a right hand
and Simionescu counters with a straight right hand.
Simionescu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano misses with a few strikes there.
Simionescu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Simionescu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luciano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice cross by Simionescu.
Simionescu throws a body punch but Luciano moves out of range.
Simionescu scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luciano moves out of range of the strikes.
Simionescu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Luciano scores with a hook.
Luciano misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a right hand that misses
and Simionescu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Luciano throws a jab but it's blocked by Simionescu.
It looked like Simionescu was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Luciano.
Luciano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Luciano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Iulian Simionescu is winning the standup battle so far.
Luciano slips under a jab from Simionescu.
Simionescu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Simionescu jabs Luciano right on the nose. Luciano blinks but takes it well.
Simionescu slips a jab from Luciano.
Simionescu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Simionescu lands a right hook to the body.
Luciano doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Simionescu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simionescu tests Luciano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Luciano misses the jab.
Simionescu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A left lands for Simionescu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simionescu moves out of range as Luciano strikes.
Simionescu is looking to counter punch.
Simionescu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Luciano can do to turn this around?
Simionescu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
Luciano has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Simionescu throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Luciano connects with the punch.
Simionescu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Luciano stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luciano has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Luciano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simionescu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iulian Simionescu dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Simionescu blocks a jab.
Simionescu misses with a looping left.
Luciano misses with a straight left.
Simionescu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Luciano doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Simionescu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
Simionescu throws a poor cross that misses
and Luciano counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luciano throws a jab when Simionescu was well out of range.
Simionescu staying out of range there.
Simionescu appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Luciano throws a lazy uppercut
and Simionescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Simionescu ducks down to avoid it.
Simionescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Luciano is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Simionescu misses with an uppercut. Luciano saw that one coming.
Simionescu throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Simionescu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luciano.
Luciano throws a lazy right hand but Simionescu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simionescu throwing a counter right hand but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Simionescu scores with a decent looking hook.
Simionescu throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano throws a series of strikes that have Simionescu backpedaling.
Simionescu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
Tony Luciano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simionescu swinging wildly here.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Simionescu ducks down to avoid it.
Luciano moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Luciano gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simionescu slips a straight right by Luciano.
Simionescu scores with a shot to the body.
Luciano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simionescu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Luciano throws a hook but Simionescu avoids it easily.
Simionescu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Simionescu misses with a hook to the body
letting Luciano counter with a right hand.
Simionescu looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
Luciano misses with a straight right.
Luciano throws the left hand but Simionescu avoids the punch easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Simionescu as he connects with a hook.
Luciano throws out a powerful jab.
No joy there for Luciano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Luciano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Simionescu counters with a straight right hand.
Iulian Simionescu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano misses with a right hand
and Simionescu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simionescu throws a shot to the body.
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 an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Luciano throws a counter combo.
Luciano lands with a right hand.
Simionescu throws out a powerful jab.
Luciano staying out of range there.
Luciano misses with an uppercut
and Simionescu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luciano swings widly with a right hand
and Simionescu counters with a nice uppercut.
Simionescu misses with a shot to the body
and Luciano counters with a lovely straight right hand!

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 Iulian Simionescu.
Well Simionescu has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iulian Simionescu!