PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Luka Mrtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul George (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George has chosen Popular-Nada Surf as his entrance music. 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.

Mrtic
vs
George

176 cm
23
167 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Luka Mrtic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul George!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
George scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
George checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mrtic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from George.
George blocks a head kick by Mrtic.
Mrtic throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mrtic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that George has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mrtic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mrtic throws a leg kick

and George counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by George.

George gets control of Mrtic's arms and successfully pulls guard. George will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mrtic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mrtic won't allow George to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
George looking to control.

George is looking for a triangle but Mrtic pushes his legs off easily.

George looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mrtic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
George avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mrtic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
George working a defensive guard here.
Mrtic is looking to work some ground and pound but George has wrist control.
Mrtic trying to control but George is working from the bottom.
George looking for a sweep. Not yet George, not yet.
Mrtic wants to control from the top but George keeps moving.
George lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mrtic!
George has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mrtic's face.
George putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
BOOM! George connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Mrtic wants to control but George is having none of it.
George lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
A nice elbow there by George.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
George scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Mrtic?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

George looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
George working Mrtic over with strikes here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mrtic 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.
Mrtic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mrtic is working hard here to advance position.
Mrtic works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mrtic controls George momentarily but George frees himself.
George makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mrtic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
George scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
George stopping the sweep attempt from Mrtic.
George cracks Mrtic with a solid left hand.
Mrtic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
George throwing strikes but missing.
George stopping the sweep attempt from Mrtic.
George lands a couple of elbows.
George postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mrtic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mrtic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
George with a nice head shot there.
Mrtic wants to sweep here but George controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
George working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
George working some strikes from top position.
George content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
George content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
George lands a couple of elbows.
George throwing strikes from guard but Mrtic blocks nicely.
George throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mrtic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
George preventing the sweep.
George with a nice head shot there.
Mrtic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mrtic wants to stand and escape but George is having none of it.
George scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
George wants to pass the guard but Mrtic is keeping the position.
George pushes down on Mrtic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mrtic tries to get to full guard but George has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul George dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Good work by George as he checks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as George blocks the low kick.
Mrtic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. George manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - George scores with a four punch combination!
Mrtic tries to clinch up but George circles away and keeps his distance.
George misses with a wild combination.
Mrtic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

George is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mrtic's half guard.
George looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mrtic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

George seems to be looking for submissions.
Mrtic tries to roll over but George keeps him under control.
Mrtic desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

George is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mrtic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time George.
Mrtic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mrtic wants to control but George is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mrtic tries to roll over but George keeps him under control.
George scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
George prevents Mrtic from improving his position.
George landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
George thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
George thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mrtic's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

George is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mrtic defends it well.
George lands with a punch from half guard.
George scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mrtic trying to hold on to George's head to control him but George postures up.
George is nestled in close to Mrtic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mrtic wants to get back to full guard.
Mrtic taking some punishment here, with George in his half guard.
Mrtic wants to get back to full guard.
Mrtic looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mrtic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
George lands a couple of elbows.
Mrtic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
George postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mrtic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mrtic has momentary wrist control but George slips an elbow through the middle.
Paul George has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mrtic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for George!
George tries to reverse the position but Mrtic maintains control.
Mrtic avoids the attempt from George to control.
George swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
George is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mrtic landing punches.
Mrtic sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Mrtic wants to control the pace but George is squirming around nicely.
George keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mrtic looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four 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!
Mrtic looking to control but George is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mrtic avoids the attempt from George to control.
Mrtic pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
George really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mrtic avoids the attempt from George to control.
Mrtic postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. George looks a forlorn figure.

George is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mrtic misses with a head shot.
George taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luka Mrtic will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mrtic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mrtic closes the distance looking to clinch

and George counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mrtic won't be happy with that.
George is putting a hurting on Mrtic here, landing some big shots from side control.

George is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mrtic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mrtic gets back to half guard.
Mrtic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
George in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mrtic is trying to keep George in close.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
George trying to control the position from guard on top but Mrtic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
George with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

George drops back looking for a leg! Mrtic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mrtic manages to kick George off! George jumps back into Mrtic's guard.
Mrtic looking for a sweep. Not yet Mrtic, not yet.
Mrtic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for George!
Mrtic scores with a couple of good head shots there.
George 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.
George is looking for a sweep. Mrtic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mrtic wants to control but George is keeping him busy.
Mrtic is pressing down on George's thigh, looking to free his foot. George is holding on for now.
George is looking for a sweep. Mrtic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
George on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
George wants to get back to full guard.
Mrtic passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for George!
George is in a horrible position here. Mrtic smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
George slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
George is pressing down on Mrtic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
George takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

George is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mrtic is aware though and is defending well.
Mrtic wants to pass the guard but George is keeping the position.
George keeping moving, preventing Mrtic from controlling successfully.
Mrtic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic trying to control but George is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mrtic looking to pass the guard.

George is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

George throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
George can't keep his opponent in guard - Mrtic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
George is looking for a sweep. Mrtic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mrtic trying to control from half guard but George is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

George looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
George taking some punishment here, with Mrtic in his half guard.

George looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
George is refusing to be controlled, as Mrtic sits in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
George works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mrtic with a flurry of punches that miss.

George looking for a guillotine here but Mrtic defends easily.
George is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mrtic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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 Luka Mrtic.
I think Mrtic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!