PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Cole (ranked 237 p4p, 355 weight class) and Randy Randalman (ranked 35 p4p, 52 weight class). Randalman has chosen Creedence Clearwater - Fortunate Son as his entrance music. Randy Randalman told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Cole
vs
Randalman

178 cm
36
170
26 - 13 - 3

185 cm
32
168
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Conquer
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Conquer
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

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 26 - 13 - 3, fighting out of New York, James Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Randalman!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Randalman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cole, pushing him back against the cage.
Randalman is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cole gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cole lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Cole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice shot lands for Cole.
Cole bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Randalman's head backwards.
Randalman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cole defends it nicely.
Randalman fails with a takedown attempt.
James Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Randalman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randalman misses with a takedown attempt
and Cole makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Randalman shoots in for a takedown but Cole shows good takedown defense.
Randalman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cole circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole lands a nice leg kick that just misses Randalman's sensitive parts.
Jab, jab by Cole - just one landing.
Randalman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Randalman moves in looking to clinch but Cole pushes him off.
Randalman wants to clinch
and Cole counters with a two punch combo.
Randalman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cole counters with a crisp one two that drops Randalman! Cole thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Randalman to his feet! Randalman is in big trouble!

Randalman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole is trying to control the position but Randalman postures up.
Cole has Randalman pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Randalman pushing down on Cole's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Randalman looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cole with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cole moves into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cole holds on and takes a little breather.
Cole looking to control.
Cole is adopting a defensive guard.
Cole looking to control.

Cole looking for a guillotine here but Randalman defends easily.
Cole trying to keep a closed guard but Randalman is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randalman trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Randalman wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Randalman wants to control from the top but Cole keeps moving.
Cole pulls Randalman in to control the position.
Randalman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Randalman wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.
Cole is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice jab there from Cole.
Cole misses with a hook
letting Randalman counter with a right hand.
Randy Randalman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Randalman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cole.
Cole swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cole keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It appears Cole was looking to counter with a kick there.
Cole misses with a straight left.
James Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck for Randalman with that takedown attempt.

Randalman shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cole is trying to defend but Randalman finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Cole will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cole scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cole misses with a combination

so Randalman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Randalman lands a couple of digs.
Cole being controlled here, momentarily.
Randalman wants to control from the top but Cole keeps moving.
Cole has control of Randalman's left arm, preventing Randalman from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Cole throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Randalman pushes down on Cole's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Randalman slips a nice elbow through Cole's hands, connecting with Cole's forehead.
Cole trying to control here.
Cole is controlling Randalman's trapped leg to prevent Randalman from advancing to side control.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still in half guard, Randalman seems content to control.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Randalman connects with a nice short shot to Cole's temple.

Randalman seems to be looking for submissions.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole gets full guard.

Cole has his foot on Randalman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Randalman works his way back into a safe position though.

Randalman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cole has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Randalman has managed to get both his arms back between Cole's legs - danger averted.
Cole looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Randalman trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Randalman stands up over Cole, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Randalman lands a couple of elbows.
Randalman postures up.
Cole keeping moving, preventing Randalman from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole is pulling down on Randalman's head to control his posture.
Cole looking to control.
Cole is controlling Randalman's posture.
Randalman postures up.

Cole looking for a guillotine here but Randalman defends easily.
Randalman trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Cole is trying to keep Randalman in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Cole looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Randalman wants to control from the top but Cole keeps moving.
Randalman landing with the ground and pound.
Cole controls Randalman momentarily but Randalman frees himself.
Randalman trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Randalman scoring with some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Randalman working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Randalman's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Randalman trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Randalman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Randalman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cole.
Randalman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cole moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Randalman rushes Cole and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cole gets through Randalman's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Cole on the inside.
Cole swings wildly with an uppercut but Randalman uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randalman swings wildly with an uppercut but Cole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Randalman's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Randalman looking for a takedown.
Cole scores with a nice hook to the head.
Randalman is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cole gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Randalman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cole throws an elbow but misses.
Cole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cole swings wildly with an uppercut but Randalman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cole prevents the takedown attempt.
James Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Randalman.
Cole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cole pushes off an throws an elbow but Randalman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Randalman is trying to drag Cole to the mat but Cole just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cole pushes Randalman back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Cole.

Cole jumps into guard, dragging Randalman to the mat.
Randalman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cole pulls Randalman in close to his closed guard and prevents Randalman from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole is trying to keep Randalman in close.
Randalman looking to sit in guard and control but Cole gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cole pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Randalman is keeping the position for now.

Cole got a little sloppy there for a moment and Randalman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cole has managed to get both his arms back between Randalman's legs - danger averted.
Cole is looking to pass into half guard but Randalman pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Randalman is in guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Randalman postures up.

Cole working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Randalman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Randalman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Randalman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cole is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Randalman is aware though and is defending well.
Cole is trying to control the position but Randalman postures up.
Cole keeping moving, preventing Randalman from controlling successfully.

Randalman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cole lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Randalman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cole defends well.
Cole not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Randalman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cole doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cole manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cole pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Randalman is keeping the position for now.
Cole is working hard here to advance position.
Randy Randalman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cole not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Randalman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cole looking to pass the guard.
Cole trying to control but Randalman is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Cole showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cole 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

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