PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valerio Cusanno (ranked 3203 p4p, 2588 weight class) and Papi Chichilla (ranked 375 p4p, 328 weight class). Papi Chichilla has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cusanno
vs
Chichilla

172 cm
18
155
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
19
163
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Threads of Fate

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Valerio Cusanno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Papi Chichilla!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cusanno swings widly with a right hand
and Chichilla counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A punch combination from Chichilla misses.
Cusanno just misses with a punch to the body.
Chichilla moves out of range of the strikes.
Chichilla looks to score with a jab to the body but Cusanno is just out of range.
Cusanno throws a right hand that Chichilla ducks under and follows up with a left that Chichilla also avoids with ease.
Chichilla misses with an uppercut
and Cusanno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cusanno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chichilla.
Chichilla displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cusanno throws out the jab.
Cusanno uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chichilla.
A telegraphed right hand from Chichilla misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cusanno with a nice cross.
Chichilla misses with an uppercut.
Cusanno misses with a body shot.
Chichilla throws a big shot that misses.
Chichilla misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chichilla uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cusanno.

Cusanno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cusanno swings wildly with an uppercut but Chichilla uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cusanno lands a right hand.

Cusanno pulls guard.
Chichilla is looking to work some ground and pound but Cusanno has wrist control.
Cusanno is trying to control the position but Chichilla postures up.
Cusanno seems keen to control Chichilla's posture.
Cusanno keeping moving, preventing Chichilla from controlling successfully.
Cusanno definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Cusanno is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Chichilla is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chichilla got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cusanno has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Chichilla has managed to get both his arms back between Cusanno's legs - danger averted.
Cusanno keeping full guard, as Chichilla tries to pass.
Chichilla postures up.
Chichilla postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Chichilla drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chichilla jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chichilla pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cusanno is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cusanno throws a combination that misses
and Chichilla counters with a left to the body.
Cusanno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chichilla slips a straight right by Cusanno.
Chichilla loads up on a big right hand but Cusanno slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusanno uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Chichilla has time to react.
Jab, jab by Chichilla - just one landing.
Donk. Chichilla catches Cusanno right on the button with a cross.
Cusanno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cusanno misses with a wild body shot.
Chichilla looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Chichilla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cusanno.
Cusanno throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Chichilla counter with a right hand.
Cusanno slips a straight right by Chichilla.
Cusanno throws a body shot but no joy.
Chichilla tries to counter by closing the distance.
Chichilla throws a shot from downtown. Cusanno moves away and avoids it.
Cusanno scores with a nice right hand.
Chichilla moves out of range of the strikes.
Cusanno connects with the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab, jab by Chichilla - just one landing.
Chichilla wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusanno connects with the punch.
Chichilla throws a predictable looking body shot
and Cusanno counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A shot to the body from Cusanno misses
and Chichilla counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cusanno avoids the body shot from Chichilla.
Chichilla avoids the body shot from Cusanno.
Cusanno jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Chichilla throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cusanno connects with a looping right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Chichilla darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Valerio Cusanno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chichilla misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cusanno.
Cusanno lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Papi Chichilla has been cut.
Cusanno looks to throw the jab but Chichilla is out of range.
Cusanno takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Chichilla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cusanno.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valerio Cusanno dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Papi Chichilla's cut.
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.

Chichilla avoids the body shot from Cusanno.
Cusanno throws an overhand right that lands on Chichilla's shoulder, as Chichilla tries to avoid the shot.
Chichilla only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cusanno misses with a two punch combination.
Cusanno's corner calls for a 1-2. Cusanno obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cusanno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chichilla can do to turn this around?
Cusanno bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Chichilla throws an off balance right hand
letting Cusanno counter with a right hand.
Chichilla has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cusanno finds it's way round the side to connect with Chichilla's head.

Cusanno tries to keep at a distance but Chichilla has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cusanno swings wildly with an uppercut but Chichilla uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chichilla throws a head punch that misses.
Cusanno misses with the head strike.
Cusanno lands a hook that snaps the head of Chichilla backwards.

Cusanno gets control of Chichilla's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cusanno will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Chichilla slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chichilla stands and throws Cusanno's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cusanno is trying to get back to half guard.

Chichilla is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cusanno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cusanno tries to buck Chichilla off but Chichilla is having none of it.

Chichilla tries for a kimura but Cusanno is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cusanno wants to control but Chichilla postures up.

Chichilla thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cusanno is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chichilla off and has taken his back!
Chichilla just trying to survive but Cusanno is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
A lull in the action here.

Cusanno looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusanno doesn't have the hooks in and Chichilla manages to turn into his guard.
Cusanno avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cusanno holds on and takes a little breather.

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

Cusanno working for submissions but it's allowed Chichilla to get to half guard.
Cusanno wants to improve his position but Chichilla is controlling well.
Chichilla is looking to pass Cusanno's guard but actually Cusanno recovers to full guard.
Chichilla wants to control from the top but Cusanno keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chichilla drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chichilla jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chichilla advances position into side control!
The referee asks Chichilla politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Chichilla prefers to stall for the moment though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cusanno can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valerio Cusanno dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Papi Chichilla's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Chichilla misses with a looping left.
Cusanno uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Chichilla.
Cusanno tries to counter by clinching up but Chichilla breaks away and moves out of range.
Chichilla connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cusanno loads up on a big right hand but Chichilla slips the punch.
Cusanno takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Chichilla works Cusanno's body with a nice hook.
Chichilla throws a poor cross that misses
and Cusanno counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chichilla just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Cusanno.
Chichilla ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chichilla slips under a jab from Cusanno.
Nice defenses there by Chichilla.
Chichilla ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cusanno moves away.
Chichilla misses with a hook. Cusanno ducked under it nicely.
Cusanno jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusanno throws a jab but it's blocked by Chichilla.
Chichilla throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chichilla throws a big shot that misses.
Chichilla tries to score with a low kick but Cusanno moves his leg out of the way.
Chichilla ducks right into an uppercut from Cusanno.
Cusanno keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Chichilla tries to get set, Cusanno tries to push him back and clinch up but Chichilla manages to avoid the attempt.
Chichilla ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cusanno moves away.
Chichilla looks to score with a jab to the body but Cusanno is just out of range.
Cusanno throws a nice looking combination but Chichilla bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cusanno swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chichilla.
Chichilla jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chichilla takes a swing at Cusanno's ribcage but misses.
Cusanno avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Valerio Cusanno is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from Chichilla misses its intended target.
Cusanno is looking to counter the offense by Chichilla and move into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chichilla takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Chichilla lands a glancing blow to the side of Cusanno's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cusanno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cusanno looks to score with a jab to the body but Chichilla is just out of range.
Cusanno swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chichilla.
Cusanno takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Chichilla ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Chichilla misses with a straight left.
Cusanno just misses with a punch to the body.
Chichilla takes one on the button.
A big right from Cusanno misses.
Chichilla keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cusanno.
Cusanno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chichilla throws a counter combo.
Cusanno takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusanno throws a good cross that connects.
Chichilla tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chichilla misses with an uppercut.
Cusanno lands a right hook to the body.
Chichilla looks to score with a jab to the body but Cusanno is just out of range.
Cusanno throws a predictable looking body shot
and Chichilla counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cusanno with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valerio Cusanno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chichilla avoids the body shot from Cusanno.
Chichilla takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cusanno connects with a body shot that sends Chichilla's belly button to the back.
Chichilla ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cusanno looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cusanno tests Chichilla's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chichilla misses with a body shot.
Chichilla misses with a shot to the body
and Cusanno counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Chichilla.
Chichilla throws a shot from downtown. Cusanno moves away and avoids it.
Cusanno went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cusanno takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cusanno lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cusanno bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Chichilla's head.
Cusanno avoids the body shot from Chichilla.
Chichilla ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cusanno moves away.
Cusanno fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Chichilla misses with a hook to the body

and Cusanno counters by moving into the clinch.
Papi Chichilla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chichilla scores with an uppercut up the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Valerio Cusanno.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cusanno, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valerio Cusanno!
An out of breath Valerio Cusanno thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.