PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Steven Rutherford (ranked 2211 p4p, 2433 weight class) and Monte Cassino (ranked 217 p4p, 233 weight class). Cassino has chosen Andrea Bocelli - Con Te Partiro as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rutherford
vs
Cassino

183 cm
49
149
36 - 16 - 3

165 cm
37
150
23 - 15 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Big Dog Gains 160Q $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 16 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Rutherford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 3, fighting out of London, Monte Cassino!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Columbo Gatti and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutherford lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cassino's sensitive parts.
Cassino works the jab nicely.
Rutherford throws the kick towards the body but Cassino avoids it.
Rutherford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cassino moves away.
Rutherford attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rutherford misses with a low kick.

Rutherford gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cassino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rutherford misses with a punch to the body.
Rutherford misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Cassino fails to land.
Rutherford trying to stall but Cassino improves his position.
Cassino works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cassino scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rutherford prevents a body shot from Cassino.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rutherford lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassino misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cassino lands a left hand.
Rutherford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cassino lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.
Rutherford misses with some punches.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Cassino.
A head punch on the inside from Cassino fails to land.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hand to the body from Cassino.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cassino.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Cassino controls the action.
Rutherford is trying to maintain a safe position but Cassino gets an underhook and turns Rutherford into the cage.
Cassino digs a right hand underneath Rutherford's ribcage. Rutherford let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Cassino misses with some punches.
Cassino scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short body shot lands from Cassino as the two fighters clinch.
Rutherford misses with the head strike.
Rutherford tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Rutherford really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cassino misses with a punch to the body.
Cassino scores with a shot to the side of Rutherford's head.
Rutherford is trying to break the clinch but Cassino is controlling him.
Cassino lands a left hand.
Cassino working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cassino creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cassino misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford misses with a body punch.
Rutherford misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cassino tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Cassino blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
A short left from Cassino.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cassino scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Cassino on the inside.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch but Cassino keeps him there for the moment.
A short uppercut from Cassino.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cassino.
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutherford throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cassinos head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cassino.
Rutherford is trying to break the clinch but Cassino has him pressed against the cage.
Cassino lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cassino misses with some punches.
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!
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Good body shot from Cassino.
Cassino lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Cassino.
A hook to the body from Cassino.
Cassino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cassino lands a nice uppercut.
Cassino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cassino prevents a body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Rutherford wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Cassino digs a right hand underneath Rutherford's ribcage. Rutherford let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cassino misses with a punch on the inside.
Rutherford misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cassino scores with a nice right hand.
Rutherford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cassino manages to avoid it.
Cassino scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rutherford missing with a left hand there. Cassino was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rutherford pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cassino is out of range and Rutherford settles back down.
Rutherford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A lazy left from Cassino finds it's target.
Cassino throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cassino throws a looping overhand right but Rutherford ducks down to avoid it.
Rutherford tries to land a leg kick but Cassino saw it coming and moves away.
Cassino throws a shot to the body.
Cassino lands with a right hand.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Cassino.
Nice uppercut lands for Cassino. That snapped Rutherford's head back.
Cassino throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutherford misses with a left hand
and Cassino counters with a nice body shot.
Rutherford misses with a hook to the body
and Cassino cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cassino throws a body punch but Rutherford moves out of range.
Cassino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Rutherford has managed to clinch.
Cassino lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rutherford throws a head punch that misses.
Cassino tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cassino throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cassino lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rutherford.
Cassino prevents Rutherford from breaking the clinch.
Cassino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cassino lands a right hand.
Rutherford looking to stall.
Cassino swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Cassino scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino lands a left hand.
Cassino has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short right from Cassino on the inside.
Rutherford is trying to break free.
Cassino lands a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cassino misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short body shot lands from Cassino as the two fighters clinch.
Monte Cassino seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Still in the clinch, Cassino scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rutherford blocks a body shot from Cassino.
Cassino misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A body shot lands from Cassino.
Rutherford prevents a body shot from Cassino.
A body shot lands from Cassino.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cassino lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A body shot lands from Cassino.
Cassino scores with a shot to the side of Rutherford's head.
Cassino misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino lands a right hand.
Cassino pushes Rutherford back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cassino lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cassino lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cassino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cassino struggles to land a body shot inside as Rutherford controls his hands.
Cassino lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short left from Cassino.
Cassino lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cassino lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rutherford.
Cassino pushes Rutherford back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Cassino misses with a punch on the inside.
Cassino lands a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Rutherford tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rutherford holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Cassino.
Cassino swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cassino misses with a body punch.
Cassino tries to work over Rutherford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cassino throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Cassino misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Cassino showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! 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.

Rutherford throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
No joy there for Rutherford, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rutherford looks to score with a jab to the body but Cassino is just out of range.
A low kick lands for Cassino.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Cassino.
Cassino fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rutherford.
Rutherford thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little jabbing left from Cassino on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Monte Cassino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cassino. That's going to slow Rutherford down.
Rutherford throws a body punch but Cassino moves out of range.
Rutherford throws a jab when Cassino was well out of range.
Cassino cracks Rutherford with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassino thumps Rutherford with a low kick.
Cassino fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rutherford on the side of the head.
Cassino swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rutherford swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cassino moves forwards but Rutherford connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rutherford throws a lazy right hand but Cassino sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cassino lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rutherford's sensitive parts.
Rutherford is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Rutherford misses.
Rutherford takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rutherford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Cassino closes the distance and clinches.
Cassino throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Cassino tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Rutherford tries a body shot but Cassino blocks it.
Cassino lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cassino lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rutherford throws a head punch that misses.
Cassino blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cassino lands a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cassino throws a head punch that misses.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassino pushes Rutherford back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rutherford struggles to land a body shot inside as Cassino controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Rutherford has a couple of punches blocked by Cassino.
Rutherford misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cassino scores with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice right hand lands inside from Cassino.
Cassino lands with a left to the head.
Rutherford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassino struggles to land a body shot inside as Rutherford controls his hands.
Rutherford tries to break free but Cassino pushes him back against the cage.
Cassino works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cassino lands a nice shot to the body.
Cassino blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cassino works on Rutherford's body with a couple of short punches.
Cassino lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassino working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cassino lands a right hand.
Cassino lands a body shot.
Cassino lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cassino presses Rutherford against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cassino works on Rutherford's body with a couple of short punches.
Cassino has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Cassino pushes Rutherford back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Monte Cassino is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cassino.
Cassino misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Cassino.
Rutherford misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cassino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rutherford tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Cassino fails to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutherford looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cassino throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Steven Rutherford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot in the inside from Cassino.
Cassino lands a nice uppercut.
Cassino struggles to land a body shot inside as Rutherford controls his hands.
Cassino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Cassino.
Rutherford fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monte Cassino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cassino 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Monte Cassino!
Monte Cassino 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.