PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Barack Obaminator (ranked 24 p4p, 55 weight class) and Sonny Giovanni (ranked 4 p4p, 8 weight class). Obaminator comes into the arena with Gil Scott-Herron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised blaring out of the sound system. 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?

Obaminator
vs
Giovanni

186 cm
33
185
34 - 15 - 0

189 cm
33
188
19 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Urban Fighter

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Barack Obaminator!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sonny Giovanni!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Giovanni closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Obaminator throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Giovanni sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Obaminator avoids it with no problem.
Obaminator misses with a straight left.
It seemed like Giovanni was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Obaminator waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Giovanni.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Obaminator slips a jab from Giovanni.
Obaminator half committed to a counter leg kick.
Obaminator scores with a spinning back kick!
Obaminator misses with a kick to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Obaminator swings and misses with a hook to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovanni softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Obaminator has had enough of the clinch but Giovanni keeps him there for the moment.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Obaminator creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Obaminator lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Giovanni backwards.
Giovanni lands a left hand that snaps the head of Obaminator backwards.
Giovanni tries a body shot but Obaminator blocks it.
Giovanni scores with a shot to the side of Obaminator's head.
Giovanni lands a right hand.
Giovanni struggles to land a body shot inside as Obaminator controls his hands.

Obaminator manages to break the clinch.
Obaminator throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Obaminator throws a big shot that misses.
Obaminator lands with an overhand left.
Obaminator throws out a loose jab but Giovanni uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Giovanni throws a lazy uppercut
and Obaminator counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Obaminator throws a jab when Giovanni was well out of range.
Giovanni throws a big counter head kick but Obaminator avoids it with no problem.
Obaminator throws a head kick but Giovanni moves out of range.
A nice side step and Giovanni releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Giovanni takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Obaminator looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Obaminator lands with an overhand left.
Nice cross by Obaminator.
Obaminator misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Giovanni feints a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Giovanni drops Obaminator with a beautiful combination! Obaminator stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Giovanni is looking for the KO!

It looks like Barack Obaminator has been cut.
Obaminator misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Giovanni.
Giovanni swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Giovanni takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Obaminator lands with a good body shot.
Giovanni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Obaminator.
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!
Obaminator cracks Giovanni with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Obaminator thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Obaminator.
Obaminator misses with a hook
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Giovanni on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Obaminator throws a leg kick that is checked
and Giovanni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Obaminator feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Giovannis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Giovanni misses with a right hand
and Obaminator counters with a stiff right hand.
Obaminator pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barack Obaminator dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Barack Obaminator's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A solid leg kick lands there for Obaminator.
Obaminator fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Giovanni gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Obaminator blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Giovanni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Obaminator tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Giovanni's elbow.
Obaminator misses with a punch to the body.
Obaminator wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Obaminator can't find room to land a body shot as Giovanni controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Obaminator misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Obaminator fails to land.

Obaminator's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Obaminator pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Obaminator is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Giovanni can do to turn this around?
Giovanni takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obaminator misses with a straight left.
Obaminator misses with a kick to the body.
Giovanni throws a nice inside leg kick.
A solid body kick from Obaminator.
Obaminator throws an off balance right hand
and Giovanni counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Obaminator throws a left that rocks Giovanni and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Obaminator dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Giovanni regain composure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Giovanni is looking to regain half guard here but Obaminator keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Obaminator stalls from top position.
Obaminator is looking to take a break and control but Giovanni is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Obaminator moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Obaminator tries for a kimura but Giovanni is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Obaminator looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Obaminator working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Obaminator is trying to get an arm triangle but Giovanni is defending well.

Obaminator looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four 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.
Giovanni is looking to regain half guard here but Obaminator keeps moving and retains side control.

Obaminator wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Giovanni, who protects the arm well.

Obaminator wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Giovanni, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Obaminator wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Giovanni, who protects the arm well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barack Obaminator dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Barack Obaminator'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.

Giovanni avoids the body shot from Obaminator.
Obaminator loads up on a big right hand but Giovanni slips the punch.
Giovanni misses with a straight right.
Obaminator thuds his right hand into Giovanni's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Barack Obaminator seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Obaminator misses with an uppercut. Giovanni saw that one coming.
And Giovanni responds with a good body kick, but Obaminator manages to step out the way in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Obaminator misses with a kick to the body.
A nice side step and Giovanni releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Obaminator misses with an uppercut. Giovanni saw that one coming.
Good standup being displayed there by Obaminator as he connects with a hook.
Barack Obaminator is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Obaminator misses.
Giovanni lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Obaminator looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Obaminator's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Giovanni connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Obaminator scrambles back to his feet.
Giovanni moves away from the strike by Obaminator.
Obaminator misses with a straight right.
Obaminator misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obaminator throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Giovanni tries a quick counter leg kick but Obaminator is wise to it.
Obaminator just misses with a punch to the body.
Obaminator throws the left hand but Giovanni avoids the punch easily.
Giovanni slips a jab from Obaminator.
Giovanni throws out a counter right but Obaminator avoids it with no problem.
Obaminator throws a series of punches but Giovanni moves out of range.
Obaminator throws a lazy right hand but Giovanni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni ducks under a wild hook from Obaminator.
A little jabbing left from Giovanni on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Obaminator throws out a loose jab but Giovanni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Obaminator scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Giovanni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Obaminator.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Obaminator dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Obaminator misses with an uppercut
and Giovanni cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Giovanni takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obaminator tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Giovanni misses.
Giovanni throws a body punch but Obaminator moves out of range.
Giovanni slips a straight right by Obaminator.
Giovanni throws a counter combo.
Obaminator cracks Giovanni with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Giovanni throws a leg kick that misses.
And Obaminator counters with a quick kick to the body but Giovanni blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Giovanni throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Obaminator sizes up Giovanni with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barack Obaminator clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Barack Obaminator's cut.
That's time! Obaminator's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Giovanni bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Obaminator's head.
A low kick lands for Obaminator.
Giovanni tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A quick step to the side and Obaminator tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Obaminator fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Obaminator jabs Giovanni to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Giovanni tries to close the distance and clinch but Obaminator swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Obaminator waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Giovanni.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obaminator misses with a body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Obaminator throws a head kick that misses.
Giovanni avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Obaminator fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Giovanni manages to avoid it.
Despite the aggression on Giovanni's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Obaminator misses with a hook. Giovanni ducked under it nicely.
Giovanni looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Obaminator misses with an uppercut
and Giovanni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Obaminator gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni avoids the head kick by Obaminator.
Giovanni unleashes a big counter combination but Obaminator bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Obaminator scores with a jab to the jaw.
Obaminator lands a jab.
Giovanni throws an overhand right that lands on Obaminator's shoulder, as Obaminator tries to avoid the shot.
Giovanni has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Giovanni misses with a jab, cross combination.
Obaminator lands with a nice body punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Obaminator. Giovanni does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni blocks a head kick by Obaminator.
Giovanni slips under a jab.
Obaminator fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Giovanni manages to avoid it.
Obaminator connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Giovanni's hands.
Obaminator lands a nice shot that snaps Giovanni's head back.
Obaminator throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obaminator throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Giovanni sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Giovanni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Giovanni only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Giovanni punishes Obaminator's body with a nice straight punch.
Crunch! Giovanni slams his shin into Obaminator's torso.
Obaminator throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Obaminator looks to land a combination but Giovanni avoids it well.
A slow jab from Obaminator misses its intended target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barack Obaminator had his way with Sonny Giovanni in that round.
The cut man is working on Barack Obaminator's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Obaminator throws a sloppy head kick
and Giovanni counters with a body kick.
Sonny Giovanni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Giovanni tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Obaminator paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Giovanni misses with a looping left.
A little feinted left hand from Obaminator on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Obaminator looks to land a left hand but Giovanni moved out of range nicely.
Obaminator keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Giovanni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Obaminator was well out of range. Poor timing from Giovanni.
Giovanni fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obaminator with a jab.
Giovanni has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice inside leg kick there by Giovanni. That's going to slow Obaminator down.
A jab from Giovanni misses.
Giovanni ducks under a wild hook from Obaminator.
Obaminator lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Giovanni stuns Obaminator with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Giovanni just misses with a punch to the body.
Obaminator was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obaminator throws a series of punches but Giovanni moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Obaminator throws a right hand that misses
and Giovanni counters with a nice body kick.
Giovanni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Giovanni scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Obaminator takes a swing at Giovanni's ribcage but misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Giovanni! But no joy.
Obaminator connects with a looping right hand.
Barack Obaminator is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni throws an off balance right hand
and Obaminator counters with a straight right hand.
Obaminator lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Giovanni at a distance.
A slow jab from Giovanni misses its intended target.
Obaminator throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Giovanni replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Obaminator blocks it well.
Obaminator fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Giovanni manages to avoid it.
Giovanni now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Obaminator throws a hook but Giovanni blocks it.
A big left from Giovanni misses.
Obaminator is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Giovanni closes the distance and clinches.
Obaminator wants to break free but Giovanni has control.
Giovanni lands with a left to the head.
Giovanni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Giovanni misses with a body punch.
Giovanni softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Giovanni.
Obaminator misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Giovanni fails to land.
Obaminator wants to break the clinch but can't.
Giovanni tries to land knees in the clinch but Obaminator avoids the damage to the body.
Giovanni keeps control of Obaminator as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Obaminator wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Obaminator escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Giovanni blocks a jab.
Giovanni only half commits to the counter leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sonny Giovanni.
I think Obaminator 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barack Obaminator!
Barack Obaminator retains his middleweight title!
Barack Obaminator decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.