PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Kaster (ranked 4223 p4p, 5721 weight class) and Balagachi Menggetu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balagachi Menggetu looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Kaster
vs
Menggetu

183 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lucas Kaster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Balagachi Menggetu!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menggetu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Menggetu wants it to stay on the feet.
Kaster fails to land the takedown.

Kaster forces Menggetu back against the cage and clinches.
Menggetu utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kaster misses with a punch to the body.
Kaster drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Menggetu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Kaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Menggetu manages to break the clinch.

Menggetu tries to keep at a distance but Kaster has taken the fight into the clinch.

Menggetu is trying to trip Kaster. He has hold of a leg but Kaster is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Menggetu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kaster has his foot on Menggetu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Menggetu works his way back into a safe position though.

Menggetu stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Menggetu avoids a punch combination nicely.

Kaster clinches with his opponent.
Menggetu effectively controlling the action here.
Menggetu can't get the takedown.

Menggetu jumps guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Menggetu has his foot on Kaster's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kaster works his way back into a safe position though.
Kaster looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Kaster stands up from Menggetu's guard - Kaster perhaps looking for a knockout.

Kaster gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kaster is trying to stall.

Menggetu is trying to trip Kaster. He has hold of a leg but Kaster is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Menggetu persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menggetu is stalling in the full guard.
Menggetu trying to control the position from guard on top but Kaster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kaster is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've been informed that Menggetu has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Menggetu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kaster prevents it.
Menggetu looks winded!
Menggetu swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaster misses with a punch to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Menggetu.
Menggetu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kaster's efforts to push away.
Kaster is looking to control Menggetu's arms but Menggetu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kaster has his back to the cage.
Kaster is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Menggetu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Menggetu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kaster tries for a takedown but Menggetu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Menggetu moves into range and clinches up with Kaster.

Menggetu breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Balagachi Menggetu will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaster gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Menggetu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Menggetu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Kaster breaks the clinch.
Kaster throws a combination that misses

and Menggetu counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Menggetu prevents Kaster from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Menggetu gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kaster instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Menggetu breaks from the clinch.
Menggetu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Menggetu has closed the distance and engaged Kaster in a clinch.
Menggetu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kaster obliges.
Menggetu is breathing heavily.
Kaster is working for takedown but Menggetu is calmly controlling the position for now.

Kaster pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kaster tries a head kick but it misses.
Menggetu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kaster as he jumps to the side.
Kaster tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Menggetu manages to circle out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaster tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Kaster closes the distance and pushes Menggetu back into the cage.
Kaster misses with a short punch on the inside.
Menggetu drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kaster pulls his leg out and moves away.

Menggetu gets tackled into the cage by Kaster. Kaster maintains the clinch.

Kaster breaks the clinch.

Kaster takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Menggetu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaster fails with the takedown.
Menggetu blocks a head kick by Kaster.
Kaster takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lucas Kaster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menggetu misses with a wild combination.
Menggetu delivers a nice body kick.
Menggetu closes the distance and clinches up with Kaster, looking for a takedown. Menggetu pushes Kaster against the cage but Kaster circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lucas Kaster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Balagachi Menggetu.
Kaster scores with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaster misses with a takedown attempt - Menggetu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kaster.
Kaster looks for the body kick but Menggetu saw that one coming.

Menggetu clinches.
Kaster blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Menggetu is trying to pull guard but Kaster has him pressed against the cage.
Kaster has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Menggetu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Kaster breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kaster misses the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Balagachi Menggetu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Menggetu closes the distance and clinches.
Kaster tries to pull guard but Menggetu won't allow it.

Kaster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menggetu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Menggetu has managed to clinch.
Kaster fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaster is trying to pull guard but Menggetu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Kaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaster jumps guard but Menggetu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menggetu has Kaster pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kaster manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Menggetu has Kaster pressed against the cage.
Kaster's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menggetu swings wildly with an uppercut but Kaster uses good head movement to avoid it.
Menggetu has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kaster avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kaster using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Menggetu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Menggetu can't break the clinch.
Menggetu is looking for a takedown.
A short right from Kaster on the inside.
Menggetu tries to score a body lock takedown but Kaster shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Menggetu takes a shot to the head.
Menggetu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kaster throws a knee to the head but misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kaster.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Menggetu.
Menggetu is trying to break the clinch but Kaster has him pressed against the cage.

Kaster breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menggetu misses with a takedown attempt
and Kaster counters with a nice leg kick.

Kaster gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kaster manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Menggetu landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Menggetu lands a knee to the body.
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!

Kaster's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kaster rushes Menggetu and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaster is trying to break the clinch but Menggetu is controlling him.
Kaster has Menggetu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Menggetu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Menggetu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kaster backwards.
Kaster doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lucas Kaster has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kaster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaster prevents the takedown attempt.

Menggetu manages to pull guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaster accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kaster is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kaster stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Menggetu swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaster is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Menggetu looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Menggetu can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kaster controls the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Menggetu wants to get back to his feet but Kaster is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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 Lucas Kaster.
I think Menggetu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!