PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Luka Mrtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bocco Badz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luka Mrtic could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bocco Badz's chin.

Mrtic
vs
Badz

176 cm
26
167 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

188 cm
27
170 lbs
14 - 15 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Luka Mrtic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bocco Badz!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Badz has closed the distance and engaged Mrtic in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Mrtic.
Mrtic lands an elbow that stopped Badz in his tracks for a moment.
Mrtic lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Bocco Badz has been cut.
Badz tries for a takedown but Mrtic manages to get underhooks.
Mrtic missing with knees to the body.
Mrtic pushes off an throws an elbow but Badz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Badz wants to take the fight to the mat but Mrtic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mrtic is pressed up against the cage. Badz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mrtic down to the mat. Mrtic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Luka Mrtic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bocco Badz.
Badz misses with a low kick.
No luck for Badz with that takedown attempt.
An inside leg kick from Mrtic misses.
Mrtic tries to land a leg kick but Badz saw it coming and moves away.

Mrtic moves into range and clinches up with Badz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but Badz blocks with his arms.
Badz goes for a takedown attempt but Mrtic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mrtic shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Badz checks a low kick from Mrtic.
We've been told by Mrtic's head coaches at Qube MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Mrtic misses with a wild body shot.
Mrtic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrtic wants to slow Badz down by chopping away at his legs.
Mrtic misses with a body shot.
Mrtic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mrtic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mrtic dodges the punch combination from Badz.

Mrtic clinches.
Mrtic misses with an elbow strike.
Badz avoids the elbow strike from Mrtic, against the cage.
Mrtic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Badz.
Badz wants a takedown.
Mrtic takes a knee right on the jaw!
Badz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Badz looking to stall.
Badz is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Mrtic has denied him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic tries a knee to the head but Badz blocks it.
Badz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mrtic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Badz has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mrtic is trying to keep an underhook but Badz manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Badz 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 Badz.
Badz wants to pass the guard but Mrtic is defending well.
Mrtic wants to improve his position but Badz is controlling well.
Badz is keen to just control but Mrtic is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Badz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mrtic is just riding it out for now. Badz eventually gives up the hold.
Mrtic is staying active underneath Badz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mrtic wants to control but Badz is keeping busy.
Mrtic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Badz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mrtic trying to control but Badz postures up.
Mrtic preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Mrtic trying to hold on to Badz's head to control him but Badz postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Badz not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Badz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mrtic is just riding it out for now. Badz eventually gives up the hold.
Mrtic wants to improve his position but Badz is controlling well.
Mrtic trying to hold on to Badz's head to control him but Badz postures up.
Mrtic has hold of Badz's hands but Badz slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Badz is trying to control. Mrtic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Badz prevents Mrtic from standing back up.
Mrtic gets full guard.
Badz trying to control but Mrtic is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Mrtic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bocco Badz's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mrtic moves into the clinch successfully.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mrtic throws an elbow but misses.

Badz has clasped his hands together around Mrtic's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Mrtic is trying to get back to his feet.
Mrtic tries to buck Badz off but Badz is having none of it.

Badz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mrtic sneaks back into half guard.
Mrtic wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Badz is working for a kimura but Mrtic is defending it quite comfortably.
Mrtic tries to get to full guard but Badz has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Badz.
Mrtic tries to roll over but Badz keeps him under control.

Badz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mrtic sees it coming and defends easily.

Badz wants to work for an arm triangle but Mrtic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Badz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Badz is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mrtic wants to get back to his feet.

Badz seems to be working for a kimura but Mrtic defends the submission attempt.
Mrtic trying to control but Badz postures up.
Mrtic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mrtic tries to roll over but Badz keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mrtic is working hard here to advance position.
Mrtic trying to control but Badz postures up.
Mrtic is looking for a sweep. Badz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Badz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mrtic is trying to control but Badz passes into side control!

Badz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Badz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Badz working away.

Badz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Badz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Badz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mrtic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Badz is trying to get an arm triangle but Mrtic is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Mrtic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mrtic is trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mrtic is trying to control Badz's posture but Badz avoids it.
Check out the look on Badz's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Badz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Badz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bocco Badz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bocco Badz's cut.
That's time! Mrtic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mrtic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Badz if he has to take too many more of those.
Mrtic misses with a low kick as Badz jumps back.
Mrtic throws a hook to the side of Badz's head but Badz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Badz tries to counter by closing the distance.
Badz looks to land a combination but Mrtic avoids it well.
Badz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Badz closes the distance and clinches.
Luka Mrtic has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mrtic throws an elbow but it misses.
Mrtic stops a takedown attempt from Badz.
Mrtic is pressed up against the cage. Badz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mrtic down to the mat. Mrtic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mrtic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Badz.
Badz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mrtic defends well and Badz ends up having to push Mrtic into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Luka Mrtic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bocco Badz.
Badz misses with a few strikes there.

Badz gets a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Badz.
Badz is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrtic misses with a knee to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mrtic throws an elbow but misses.
Badz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mrtic gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Badz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Badz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mrtic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Badz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mrtic fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Mrtic moves into range and clinches up with Badz.
Badz wants to take the fight to the mat but Mrtic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Badz blocks an elbow strike.
Mrtic missing with knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mrtic just misses with a elbow thrown towards Badz's brow.
Mrtic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Badz blocks it with crossed arms.
Mrtic lands a damaging elbow.
Badz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mrtic is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mrtic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mrtic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Badz's defenses.
Mrtic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Badz blocks it with crossed arms.
Mrtic tries to land a knee to the head but Badz blocks with his arms.

Badz has hold of one of Mrtic's legs. Mrtic is fighting the takedown attempt but Badz gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mrtic is pulling down on Badz's head to control his posture.
Badz stopping the sweep attempt from Mrtic.
Mrtic keeping full guard, as Badz tries to pass.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
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 is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Badz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Badz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrtic wants to stand and escape but Badz is having none of it.
Bocco Badz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Badz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Mrtic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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.
Badz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mrtic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mrtic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Badz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mrtic keeping moving, preventing Badz from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mrtic misses with a low kick.
Mrtic throws a body punch but Badz moves out of range.

Badz moves into range and clinches up with Mrtic.
Mrtic lands an elbow inside that Badz shrugs off.
Mrtic blocking some punches.
Mrtic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Badz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mrtic up against the cage.
Badz wants a takedown but no success here.
Badz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mrtic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mrtic misses with an elbow over the top.
Badz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Badz dodges an elbow strike from Mrtic.
Mrtic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Badz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mrtic misses with an elbow strike.
Badz avoids the elbow strike from Mrtic, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luka Mrtic showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luka Mrtic!
In his post fight interview, Luka Mrtic started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.