PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Empire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lauri Lukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Empire comes to the cage accompanied by Protectors of the Earth. 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.

Empire
vs
Lukko

188 cm
27
181 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

190 cm
21
201 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

ADCC Champion
Great elbows
Heavy handed

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roman Empire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lauri Lukko!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Empire scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Lukko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Empire tries to clinch but Lukko is having none of it.
Lukko throws the left hand but Empire avoids the punch easily.
Lukko misses with a straight left.
Lukko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Empire moves away.
Lukko misses with a hook. Empire ducked under it nicely.
Lukko keeps the fight on the outside.
Lukko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Empire tries to avoid it but Lukko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Empire to the ground. Empire escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lukko just misses with a punch to the body.
Lukko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Empire counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lukko misses with a straight right.
Nice jab there from Empire.
Lukko shoots and misses
and Empire counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lukko looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Empire forces Lukko back against the cage and clinches.

Empire lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Empire scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Empire seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Empire is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Empire looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lukko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Empire connects with a nice short shot to Lukko's temple.

Lukko is rocked!

Empire is working for a kimura but Lukko is defending it quite comfortably.
Empire thows a huge punch but Lukko dodges it nicely.
Empire throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lukko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Empire scores with a couple of nice shots.
Empire is nestled in close to Lukko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Empire thows a huge punch but Lukko dodges it nicely.
Lukko wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Empire working the head and body with strikes.
Empire seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Empire throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Empire lands with a punch from half guard.
Lukko throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Lukko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lukko has hold of Empire's hands but Empire slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Empire lands a nice short elbow.
Empire is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Empire wants to work for an arm triangle but Lukko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Empire sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lukko defending well though.
Empire lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Empire is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lukko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Empire.

Lukko actively working from the bottom here.
Empire thows a huge punch but Lukko dodges it nicely.
Empire not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Empire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lukko loads up on a big right hand but Empire slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukko lands a body shot.
Lukko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Empire moves away.
Lauri Lukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lukko moves into range and clinches up with Empire.
A head punch on the inside from Lukko fails to land.
Lukko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Lukko - that landed with a thud.
Lukko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Empire just stands there and leans against the cage.
Roman Empire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lauri Lukko.
Lukko jumps guard but Empire stands there with Lukko around his waist. Lukko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Empire tries for a takedown but Lukko manages to get underhooks.
Lukko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Lukko on the inside.
Lukko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Empire tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lukko is pressed up against the cage. Empire has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lukko down to the mat. Lukko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Lukko forces Empire back against the cage and clinches.
Lukko misses with a hook from the clinch.

Lukko jumps into guard, dragging Empire to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lukko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Empire defends it easily.

Empire avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lukko has momentary wrist control but Empire slips an elbow through the middle.

Lukko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Empire stands up over Lukko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Empire connects with a couple of short punches.
Empire throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Empire chips away with some ground and pound.
Empire throwing strikes from guard but Lukko blocks nicely.

Lukko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Empire dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lukko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Empire holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lukko throws a head punch that misses.

Empire gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lukko regains guard.

Lukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Empire can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Empire working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lukko is looking for a triangle but Empire pushes his legs off easily.
Empire stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lukko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Empire stands up over Lukko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Empire lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Empire postures up in Lukko's guard and throws a big left but Lukko blocks it.
Lukko is breathing heavily.

Lukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Empire can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Empire postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Empire's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Empire has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Empire lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Empire throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Empire keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lukko's head.
Empire with a flurry of punches that miss.
Empire with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Lukko working for a triangle but Empire defends it easily.
Empire working some strikes from top position.
Empire with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Empire with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Empire landing with the ground and pound.

Lukko pushes a forearm under Empire's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Empire is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lauri Lukko!