PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paddy OBrien (ranked 7236 p4p, 596 weight class) and DJ Costune (ranked 7044 p4p, 587 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

OBrien
vs
Costune

177 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
21
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paddy OBrien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, DJ Costune!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OBrien changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Costune shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

OBrien pushes Costune off and gets back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from OBrien enables Costune to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. OBrien manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Costune accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Costune trying to control but OBrien is working from the bottom.
Costune showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Costune with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costune postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

OBrien looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
OBrien keeping moving, preventing Costune from controlling successfully.
OBrien wants to control but Costune passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Costune stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Costune is trying to work for a kimura but OBrien is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
OBrien is pressing down on Costune's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

OBrien looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
OBrien keeping moving, preventing Costune from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costune controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Costune shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as OBrien sprawls well. OBrien wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Costune gets slowly back to his feet.
OBrien leaves Costune with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
OBrien throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Costune's waist but Costune gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing OBrien off to one side.
OBrien misses with a hook to the body
and Costune counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Paddy OBrien has been cut.
OBrien shoots in looking for a takedown. Costune tries to sprawl out of it but OBrien keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Costune manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costune shoots in looking for a takedown. OBrien tries to sprawl out of it but Costune keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. OBrien manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paddy OBrien has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Costune.
Costune shoots for a takedown but OBrien saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Costune is defended easily by OBrien.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Costune has OBrien up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Paddy OBrien will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paddy OBrien's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Costune shoots in looking for a takedown but OBrien manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Costune's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
OBrien tries to clinch up but Costune circles away and keeps his distance.
Costune displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Costune shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. OBrien defends it nicely.
OBrien tries to clinch up.
Costune shoots in looking for a takedown. OBrien tries to sprawl out of it but Costune keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. OBrien manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
OBrien tries to counter by clinching up but Costune breaks away and moves out of range.
Paddy OBrien has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Costune.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OBrien fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Costune moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OBrien tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Costune's elbow.

Costune decides to pull guard.
Costune wants to stand but OBrien is controlling the position.
OBrien trying to control but Costune is working from the bottom.
Costune tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Costune is trying to keep OBrien in close.
Costune wants to sweep but no luck.

OBrien decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Costune, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costune is trying hard to land a takedown here. OBrien sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
OBrien throws a left and a right that both miss
and Costune counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
OBrien wants to slow Costune down by chopping away at his legs.
OBrien throws a series of punches but Costune avoids them all with ease.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
OBrien can't get the takedown.
Costune keeps the fight in the clinch, despite OBrien's efforts to push away.
Costune is trying to pull guard but OBrien has him pressed against the cage.
Our sources have told us that OBrien has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Costune as OBrien tries to tie him up.
Costune creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costune avoids the elbow strike from OBrien, against the cage.

Costune has hold of one of OBrien's legs. OBrien is fighting the takedown attempt but Costune gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Costune is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Costune trying to control the position from guard on top but OBrien is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Costune sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed OBrien's guard.
OBrien keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Costune is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so OBrien is just riding it out for now. Costune eventually gives up the hold.
OBrien moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OBrien looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Costune slips nicely into half guard.
Costune passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for OBrien!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costune controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Costune showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paddy OBrien's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

OBrien throws the kick towards the body but Costune avoids it.
Costune is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Costune forces OBrien back against the cage and clinches.
Come on Costune - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Costune breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
OBrien is looking to land body kicks.

Costune moves into the clinch.
Costune blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on OBrien's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Costune has dropped down and is working for a takedown. OBrien is trying to keep an underhook but Costune manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Costune is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Costune has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Costune is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costune is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and OBrien defends it well.
OBrien trying to control here.

Costune stands up and beckons OBrien to join him on the feet.

That's two 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.

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

Costune escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
OBrien takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Costune tries to keep at a distance but OBrien has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on OBrien's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Costune wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Costune lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Costune breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Costune is looking to clinch.
Costune fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
OBrien wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costune looks for a takedown but OBrien sprawls well.
OBrien uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costune.
OBrien misses with a combination
and Costune counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Costune lands a two punch combo.
Costune shoots in for a takedown but OBrien shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

OBrien closes the distance and clinches.
OBrien struggles to land a body shot inside as Costune controls his hands.
Costune can't get the takedown.
Paddy OBrien has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Costune.

Costune manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OBrien shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

OBrien rushes Costune and presses him up against the cage.
OBrien tries for a takedown but Costune manages to get underhooks.
Costune prevents a body shot from OBrien.
DJ Costune seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
OBrien is trying to force a seperation but Costune has the dominant position.
Costune with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Costune has OBrien pushed against the cage.
OBrien is looking for a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costune lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Costune stalling in the clinch.
Costune keeps the fight in the clinch, despite OBrien's efforts to push away.
Costune has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. OBrien avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
DJ Costune comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Costune has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DJ Costune!