PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charles Bukowski (ranked 2023 p4p, 2265 weight class) and Eric Distefano (ranked 258 p4p, 289 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Bukowski
vs
Distefano

183 cm
28
191
12 - 12 - 0

183 cm
29
188
13 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Furnace Performance Products
Silverguard Outfitters

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Conviction

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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Bukowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Distefano!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Distefano chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bukowski can pounce on him.
Distefano misses with a straight left.
Bukowski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A slow jab from Distefano misses its intended target.
Distefano is looking to land body kicks.
Bukowski throws a looping overhand right but Distefano ducks down to avoid it.
We've been told by Bukowski's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bukowski lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Distefano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bukowski.
Bukowski swinging wildly here.
Distefano thinks about the counter body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski lands a right hook to the body.
Bukowski swings for the body but Distefano moves out of range.
Distefano connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bukowski is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Distefano fakes the leg kick and cracks Bukowski in the body.
Distefano lands a jab-cross combination.
Bukowski missing with a left hand there. Distefano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Distefano throws out a counter right but Bukowski avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Distefano staying out of range there.
Distefano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Bukowski.
Bukowski misses with a body shot
and Distefano counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Distefano looks for the body kick but Bukowski saw that one coming.
Distefano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bukowski.

Distefano drops Bukowski with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Bukowski looks back up at him and smiles so Distefano waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

It looks like Charles Bukowski has been cut.
Bukowski misses with a looping right.
Distefano swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Distefano is looking to clinch but Bukowski is avoiding it.
Distefano throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bukowski counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bukowski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Distefano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bukowski is thwarting Distefano's attempts to control the position.
Distefano avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bukowski.
Bukowski is trying to control the action in half guard but Distefano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Distefano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bukowski.
Bukowski misses with a head shot. Distefano uses the momentum to regain guard.
Bukowski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Distefano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Distefano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bukowski.
Bukowski throws a big right hand that misses.
Bukowski throwing strikes from guard but Distefano blocks nicely.
Bukowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bukowski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Distefano works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bukowski wants to control from the top but Distefano keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bukowski is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Distefano is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eric Distefano will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Charles Bukowski's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bukowski throws a right hand that Distefano ducks under and follows up with a left that Distefano also avoids with ease.
Despite the aggression on Distefano's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Distefano misses with a kick to the body.
A shot to the body from Bukowski misses
letting Distefano counter with a right hand.
Bukowski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Distefano stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Distefano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bukowski.
Bukowski rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Distefano counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Distefano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Distefano fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bukowski throws a leg kick that is checked
and Distefano counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Distefano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bukowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Distefano has time to react.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Bukowski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Distefano sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bukowski somewhat.

Distefano clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski lands an uppercut.
Distefano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bukowski is trying to push Distefano away but Distefano has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Distefano tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bukowski gets control of Distefano's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bukowski will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Distefano preventing the sweep.
Bukowski looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Distefano preventing the sweep.
Distefano controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bukowski pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bukowski connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Distefano momentarily.
Bukowski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bukowski takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski throws a left and a right that both miss

and Distefano counters with a crisp right hand that drops Bukowski! Distefano lets Bukowski back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bukowski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Distefano napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sloppy strikes there by Bukowski.
Distefano is not content to let Bukowski control the position.
Bukowski throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Distefano works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Distefano has hold of Bukowski's hands but Bukowski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Distefano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Charles Bukowski's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Distefano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Distefano keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bukowski.
Distefano wants to counter the offense by Bukowski and move into the clinch position.
Eric Distefano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice body punch from Bukowski.
Bukowski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Distefano avoids it really well and circles away.
Distefano only half commits to the counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Distefano closes the distance but Bukowski moves to the side
and Bukowski counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Distefano doesn't seem bothered though.
Distefano lands with a slapping head kick.
Bukowski shoots in but no luck this time.
Bukowski pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Distefano swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Both fighters circling a little - Distefano finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Distefano is looking to clinch.

Bukowski closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Distefano to the mat! Distefano manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bukowski throws a strike but Distefano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Distefano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bukowski is trying to keep Distefano in close.
Bukowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Eric Distefano is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bukowski wants to hit a sweep here but Distefano passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bukowski there!
Bukowski is looking to improve his position but Distefano isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Distefano controlling from mount.
Bukowski tries to reverse the position but Distefano maintains control.
Bukowski sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Bukowski wants to get back to full guard.
Bukowski preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bukowski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bukowski tries to roll over but Distefano keeps him under control.
Bukowski controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bukowski trying to control from the bottom.

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 Charles Bukowski.
I think Distefano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

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