PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Karuso (ranked 2122 p4p, 4219 weight class) and Maximo Costa (ranked 306 p4p, 540 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Karuso
vs
Costa

190 cm
21
195
6 - 2 - 0

195 cm
21
198
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Karuso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maximo Costa!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Costa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Costa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Costa cracks Karuso with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Costa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Karuso's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Karuso.
Costa throws a hook but Karuso blocks it.
Karuso is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Costa.
Costa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Costa looks to land a left hand but Karuso moved out of range nicely.
Karuso lands with a shot to the body.
Karuso lands with a straight right. Costa didn't see that one coming.
Costa misses with a looping right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Costa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Karuso scores with a jab to the head.
Costa misses with a straight left.
Costa connects with a looping right hand.
Karuso doesn't manage to clinch there - Costa circles away.
Costa throws a looping overhand right but Karuso ducks down to avoid it.
Karuso steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Karuso fails to land with a series of punches.
Costa throws out a counter right but Karuso avoids it with no problem.
Costa might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Karuso clinches up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Karuso.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa has had enough of the clinch but Karuso keeps him there for the moment.
Karuso misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Costa throws a punch but it's blocked by Karuso.
We've been informed that Costa has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Karuso lands a hook to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Karuso.
Costa lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Costa manages to break the clinch.
Costa loads up on a big right hand but Karuso slips the punch.

Karuso drives through and clinches with Costa against the cage.
Costa working hard to break the clinch.
Karuso lands with a short shot to the head.
Costa is trying to break the clinch but Karuso has him pressed against the cage.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Costa controls his hands.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Costa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Karuso.
A nice left hand lands by Karuso.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Karuso scores with a shoulder strike.
Costa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Costa prevents a body shot from Karuso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karuso keeps control of Costa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.
Karuso cracks Costa with a nice body shot.
Costa prevents a body shot from Karuso.

Karuso breaks from the clinch.
Maximo Costa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Costa looks to land a right hand but Karuso moved out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Karuso misses with a jab, cross combination.
Karuso takes a jab right on the kisser.
Costa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Karuso takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Costa misses with a looping left.
Costa throws a looping overhand right but Karuso ducks down to avoid it.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
Karuso keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Costa.
Karuso is looking to clinch but Costa is avoiding it.
Costa avoids the body shot from Karuso.
Costa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Karuso connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Costa scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karuso lands a nice looking body shot.
Karuso is looking to wear down Costa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Karuso closes the distance and clinches.
Costa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Costa is looking to break free of the clinch but Karuso has double underhooks.
Costa is trying to break free.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good body shot from Karuso.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Costa looks winded!
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karuso goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Karuso - that landed with a thud.
Karuso misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.
Costa wants to get back to striking at distance but Karuso won't allow it.
Karuso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Costa backwards.
Costa tries to break the clinch but Karuso is controlling the position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Karuso.
Karuso misses with a body punch.
Karuso lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Costa backwards.

Karuso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karuso is looking to counter the offense by Costa and move into the clinch.
Costa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karuso finds it's way round the side to connect with Costa's head.
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!

Karuso moves into the clinch successfully.
Karuso lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Costa backwards.
Costa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Karuso misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Karuso misses with a body punch.
Costa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Costa tries to break free but Karuso pushes him back against the cage.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Costa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Karuso manages to break the clinch.
Jab from Costa.
Costa avoids the body shot from Karuso.
Karuso misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Costa.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Karuso dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Karuso swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Costa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Costa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Frank Karuso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karuso connects with a jab.
Karuso misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Costa.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Karuso works over Costa's head and body with a nice combination.

Karuso closes the distance and clinches.

Costa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab, jab by Karuso - just one landing.
Karuso slips under a jab from Costa.
Karuso tries to clinch there but Costa circles away.
Karuso swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Costa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Costa looks to land a left hand but Karuso moved out of range nicely.

Karuso drives through and clinches with Costa against the cage.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Karuso keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Costa's efforts to push away.
Karuso tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.
Karuso is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Costa can do to turn this around?
Costa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Frank Karuso has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Karuso throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Costa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karuso misses with a jab, cross combination.
Costa throws an overhand right that lands on Karuso's shoulder, as Karuso tries to avoid the shot.
Donk. Costa catches Karuso right on the button with a cross.
Karuso wants to clinch.
Karuso drops his hands momentarily and Costa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice shot by Costa.
Costa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karuso finds it's way round the side to connect with Costa's head.
A cross from Karuso lands.
Karuso slips under a jab.
Costa cracks Karuso with a right hand to the side of the head.

Karuso moves into range and clinches up with Costa.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karuso misses with a hook to the ribs.
Karuso keeps control of Costa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Karuso misses with a hook to the ribs.
Costa is trying to break the clinch but Karuso has him pressed against the cage.
Costa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Karuso stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Karuso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Costa has had enough of the clinch but Karuso keeps him there for the moment.
Costa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Karuso cracks Costa with a nice body shot.
Costa is breathing heavily.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Costa is trying to break the clinch but Karuso has him pressed against the cage.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Costa controls his hands.
Karuso tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Costa's elbow.
Costa working hard to break the clinch.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Costa.
Karuso has Costa pressed against the cage, preventing Costa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Costa.
Costa taking a breather.
Costa is trying to force a seperation but Karuso has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karuso misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karuso pushes Costa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Karuso - that landed with a thud.

Karuso escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Karuso misses with an uppercut.
Costa needs to keep his hands up - Karuso had a free shot at his head there.
Karuso lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Karuso ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karuso lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Karuso throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Karuso tries to close the distance and clinch up but Costa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Costa slips under a jab from Karuso.
Costa misses with a hook.
Costa misses with an uppercut

and Karuso moves into the clinch.
A short right from Karuso on the inside.
Karuso presses Costa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Karuso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Costa throws an elbow but it misses.
Costa is trying to force a seperation but Karuso has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Costa controls the action.
Karuso scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Costa controls the action.
Karuso misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Costa controls the action.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Costa tries to break the clinch but Karuso is controlling the position.
Costa is looking to break free of the clinch but Karuso has double underhooks.
Karuso leaning his opponent against the cage.
Costa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Karuso lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Karuso.
Karuso blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.
Costa tries to break free but Karuso pushes him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Karuso dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Karuso steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Costa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Karuso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Costa misses with a straight right.
Costa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Karuso throws a right and a left that both miss.
Karuso wants to clinch up but Costa keeps it at a distance.
Karuso shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Costa eats them both and turns towards Karuso to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Costa moves out of range as Karuso strikes.
Karuso lands a jab to the head.
Karuso throws the left hand but Costa avoids the punch easily.
Karuso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Karuso misses with a two punch combination.
Costa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Karuso works Costa's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karuso swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Costa misses with an uppercut.
Costa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karuso sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Costa avoids the body shot from Karuso.
Costa throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Karuso counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Karuso is leaning against Costa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Costa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Karuso pushes Costa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Costa controls his hands.
Karuso stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso works on Costa's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso scores with a shot to the side of Costa's head.
Karuso misses with a punch to the body.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
Karuso lands with a light punch inside.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Costa's ribcage. Costa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Costa blocks a body shot from Karuso.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Costa.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Costa controls the action.
Karuso stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Costa prevents a body shot from Karuso.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karuso misses with an elbow over the top.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso works on Costa's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Costa.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Karuso scores with a nice hook to the head.
Karuso goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Costa is trying to break free.
Karuso tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.
Costa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karuso works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Good body shot from Karuso.
A left hand lands to the body for Karuso.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Costa.
Costa blocks a body shot from Karuso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa working hard to break the clinch.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Costa controls the action.
Costa is trying to break free.
Costa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Karuso keeps control of Costa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short uppercut from Karuso.
Karuso misses with a punch to the body.
A short uppercut from Karuso.
Costa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Karuso tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Costa's elbow.
Nice body punch from Karuso - that landed with a thud.
Karuso tries to throw a body punch but Costa avoids it by throwing Karuso back against the cage.
Karuso goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Costa controls his hands.
Costa has had enough of the clinch but Karuso keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karuso tries to work over Costa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karuso goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Costa is trying to break the clinch but Karuso is controlling him.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Costa backwards.
Karuso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maximo Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Costa wants to break free but Karuso has control.
Costa tries to break free but Karuso pushes him back against the cage.

Costa breaks the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Karuso. Those never looked like landing.
Costa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Costa misses with a looping right.
Karuso circles away from the clinch attempt
and Karuso counters with a nice uppercut.
Costa dodges the punch combination from Karuso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Karuso closes the distance and pushes Costa back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Karuso showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Karuso has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Karuso!
Frank Karuso was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.