PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Osiris Maharajah (ranked 1932 p4p, 1863 weight class) and Ray Luciano (ranked 261 p4p, 258 weight class). Luciano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by SHORT PEOPLE. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Maharajah
vs
Luciano

186 cm
28
190
10 - 4 - 1

187 cm
30
187
16 - 8 - 3

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

PWNAGE™
Northern Zombie

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 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Osiris Maharajah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 3, fighting out of New York, Ray Luciano!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano tries to clinch but Maharajah moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Maharajah on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Luciano avoids a punch combination nicely.
A little jabbing left from Luciano on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano throws out a powerful jab.
Nice defenses there by Luciano.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Maharajah uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maharajah lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Maharajah shoots in but Luciano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maharajah staying out of range there.
Luciano scores with a decent looking hook.
Maharajah scores with a jab to the body.
Maharajah sizes up Luciano with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maharajah doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Luciano counter with a right hand.
Maharajah throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maharajah loads up on a big right hand but Luciano slips the punch.
Luciano fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Maharajah doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Luciano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osiris Maharajah. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano slips a straight right by Maharajah.
Luciano bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Maharajah's head backwards.
Maharajah scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maharajah tries to clinch there but Luciano circles away.
Maharajah throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Luciano counters with a thumping low kick.
Luciano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd cheers as Maharajah lands an impressive looking overhand right. Luciano doesn't seem phased though.
Luciano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maharajah.
Maharajah with a nice cross.

Maharajah moves into range and clinches up with Luciano.
A short uppercut from Maharajah.

Maharajah drags the fight down to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maharajah working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Luciano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Luciano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Luciano tries to free his leg and advance position but Maharajah is retaining full guard.
Luciano controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Luciano got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maharajah has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Luciano has managed to get both his arms back between Maharajah's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano trying to control but Maharajah is working from the bottom.
Luciano stands and throws Maharajah's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Maharajah manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Luciano has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Maharajah winds up and cracks Luciano with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Luciano is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maharajah pulls his head out easily.
Luciano trying to hold on to Maharajah's head to control him but Maharajah postures up.
Luciano tries to get to full guard but Maharajah has control of the leg.
Luciano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Maharajah definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano is looking for a sweep. Maharajah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Luciano avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maharajah.
Maharajah not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maharajah scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Luciano gets full guard.
Maharajah trying to control the position from guard on top but Luciano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Luciano had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maharajah defends it easily.
Maharajah missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Luciano has momentary wrist control but Maharajah slips an elbow through the middle.
Maharajah works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Maharajah is stalling here. Luciano is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Maharajah seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Luciano has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Luciano trying to control the position but Maharajah is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Maharajah tries to buck Luciano off but Luciano is having none of it.

Luciano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Maharajah is not content to let Luciano control the position.
Maharajah is looking to reverse the position.

Luciano is trying to get an arm triangle but Maharajah is defending well.
Maharajah can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Osiris Maharajah dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Luciano connects with a looping right hand.
Maharajah gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Luciano counters with a stiff right hand.
Luciano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Luciano feints and then cracks Maharajah's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maharajah down.
Luciano moves out of range of the strikes.
Luciano lands a nice shot to the body.
Luciano throws a leg kick which misses Maharajah's front leg but catches the back leg as Maharajah tries to avoid it.
Osiris Maharajah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maharajah tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Luciano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Luciano lands a glancing blow to the side of Maharajah's head.
Maharajah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
Luciano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Luciano connects with a body shot.
Luciano lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Luciano.
Nice sprawl there from Luciano as Maharajah shoots in.
Nice body punch from Luciano.
Luciano looks to throw the jab but Maharajah is out of range.
Maharajah throwing a counter right hand but Luciano manages to avoid it.
A low kick lands for Luciano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano throws a shot to the body.
A low kick lands for Luciano.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Maharajah.
Maharajah takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maharajah misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maharajah throws a series of punches but Luciano moves out of range.
Luciano cracks Maharajah with a right hand to the side of the head.
Luciano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Luciano connects with a crisp jab.
Maharajah throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Luciano stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maharajah takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maharajah misses the shot to the body.
Maharajah is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Maharajah.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maharajah moves into the clinch.
Maharajah misses with the head strike.
Maharajah tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Luciano just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osiris Maharajah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maharajah softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Maharajah tries to work over Luciano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Maharajah.
Luciano misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Luciano on the inside.
A short right from Luciano on the inside.
Luciano is trying to maintain a safe position but Maharajah gets an underhook and turns Luciano into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Maharajah scores with a nice short uppercut.
Luciano lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maharajah.
Maharajah lands a body shot.

Luciano breaks the clinch.
Maharajah shoots in for a takedown but Luciano shows good takedown defense.

Luciano shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maharajah's guard.
Luciano tries to free his leg and advance position but Maharajah is retaining full guard.

Maharajah throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maharajah is trying to keep Luciano in close.

Maharajah is looking for a triangle but Luciano pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maharajah keeping moving, preventing Luciano from controlling successfully.
Luciano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Maharajah trying to keep a closed guard but Luciano is proving a slippery customer.
Luciano wants to control from the top but Maharajah keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maharajah is looking for a triangle here but Luciano uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Ray Luciano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maharajah is trying to control Luciano's posture but Luciano avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Maharajah manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Luciano actively working from the bottom here.
Luciano wants to get back to full guard.
Maharajah missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maharajah throwing shots but Luciano is blocking nicely.
Luciano gets full guard.

Maharajah got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luciano has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maharajah has managed to get both his arms back between Luciano's legs - danger averted.
Maharajah throws a big elbow that misses.
Maharajah chips away with some ground and pound.

Luciano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maharajah doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maharajah manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maharajah connects with a couple of short punches.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Luciano has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maharajah.
Maharajah tries to close the distance and clinch but Luciano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maharajah throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circle momentarily. Luciano darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Luciano slips a jab from Maharajah.
Luciano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Luciano wants it to stay on the feet.
Maharajah shoots and misses
letting Luciano counter with a right hand.
Maharajah takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Maharajah tries to clinch there but Luciano circles away.
Maharajah swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Luciano darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Maharajah throws a right and a left that Luciano avoids nicely.

Luciano throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maharajah tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Luciano is in Maharajah's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Maharajah throws his legs up looking for a submission but Luciano uses it to pass to side control.

Luciano is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Maharajah is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Luciano works to advance to full mount. Maharajah defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano fails to take his opponent's back.
Luciano trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maharajah is trying desperately to improve position.
Luciano moves to take his opponent's back.
Maharajah is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Maharajah showing good submission defense here.
Maharajah tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maharajah tries to lock up and control but Luciano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Luciano has control of Maharajah's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Maharajah regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Maharajah tries to lock up and control but Luciano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Luciano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maharajah sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Maharajah trying to control from the bottom.

Maharajah has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Luciano escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Luciano!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Luciano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Luciano gets to mount! Maharajah was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

Luciano jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Maharajah manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Luciano working away.

Luciano thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Maharajah manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano is looking to take a break and control but Maharajah is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Maharajah is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Luciano pulls his head out easily.
Luciano trying to control the action but Maharajah is working from the bottom.

Maharajah actively working from the bottom here.
Luciano works his way into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Luciano working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Luciano is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Maharajah is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Luciano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Luciano 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Luciano!
Ray Luciano seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.