PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cormac McCarthy (ranked 78 p4p, 473 weight class) and Osmany Pizziconi (ranked 13 p4p, 68 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McCarthy
vs
Pizziconi

183 cm
28
175
20 - 7 - 0

186 cm
30
180
14 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Black Lab Clothing
NARCOS

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Osmany Pizziconi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCarthy shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McCarthy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Pizziconi is trying to control the position but McCarthy postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pizziconi being controlled here, momentarily.
Pizziconi is trying to keep McCarthy in close.
McCarthy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pizziconi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McCarthy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McCarthy wants to pass the guard but Pizziconi is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pizziconi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McCarthy is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizziconi trying to control the position.
Pizziconi keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.

McCarthy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McCarthy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A shot to the body from McCarthy misses

and Pizziconi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCarthy keeps working.
Pizziconi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCarthy defending well though.
McCarthy is refusing to be controlled, as Pizziconi sits in half guard.
McCarthy tries to get to full guard but Pizziconi has control of the leg.
McCarthy is trying to control but can't.
McCarthy is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
McCarthy works his way to full guard. Good work.
Pizziconi works over McCarthy with some ground and pound from guard.
Pizziconi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pizziconi lands a couple of elbows.
McCarthy pulls Pizziconi in close to prevent any damage.
Pizziconi stopping the sweep attempt from McCarthy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy trying to control the position.
McCarthy 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.
Pizziconi wants to control from the top but McCarthy keeps moving.
Pizziconi works over McCarthy with some ground and pound from guard.
Pizziconi being controlled here momentarily.
Pizziconi controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McCarthy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McCarthy pushes down on Pizziconi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Pizziconi controlling the position well.
McCarthy is just content to waste time from the top position. Pizziconi takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCarthy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McCarthy won't allow Pizziconi to sweep him here.
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 Cormac McCarthy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pizziconi misses with a takedown attempt
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab.
Pizziconi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Pizziconi gets a double leg takedown into McCarthy's guard.
McCarthy being controlled here, momentarily.
McCarthy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pizziconi's guard.

McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Pizziconi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCarthy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Pizziconi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCarthy postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Pizziconi keeps moving.
McCarthy is looking to work some ground and pound but Pizziconi has wrist control.
McCarthy is stalling in the full guard.
McCarthy seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pizziconi for as long as he can get away with.
Pizziconi pulls McCarthy in close to his closed guard and prevents McCarthy from doing any damage or advancing position.
Pizziconi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McCarthy lands a really nice looking cross but Pizziconi seems unphased.
Osmany Pizziconi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pizziconi avoids the body shot from McCarthy.
McCarthy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Pizziconi has time to react.

Pizziconi moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McCarthy.

McCarthy manages to break the clinch.

Pizziconi pushes McCarthy up against the cage in a clinch.
Pizziconi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCarthy's efforts to push away.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pizziconi is trying to drag McCarthy to the mat but McCarthy just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy stalling against the cage.
McCarthy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pizziconi backwards.
Pizziconi wants to take the fight to the mat but McCarthy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cormac McCarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Osmany Pizziconi.

Pizziconi has clasped his hands together around McCarthy's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
McCarthy struggling a bit here.
McCarthy is looking for a sweep.
Pizziconi working the head with strikes.
Pizziconi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Pizziconi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
McCarthy is looking for a sweep.
McCarthy manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pizziconi's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Pizziconi seems to be working for a kimura but McCarthy defends the submission attempt.
McCarthy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pizziconi wants to control but McCarthy is keeping him busy.
McCarthy tries to get to full guard but Pizziconi has control of the leg.
Pizziconi thows a huge punch but McCarthy dodges it nicely.
Pizziconi prevents McCarthy from improving his position.
Osmany Pizziconi has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCarthy keeping hold of Pizziconi's head, controlling as best he can.
Pizziconi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCarthy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cormac McCarthy will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCarthy as he jumps to the side.
It looked like McCarthy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circling - McCarthy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McCarthy stuffs the takedown attempt from Pizziconi. Pizziconi gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab from McCarthy.
Pizziconi shoots in looking for a takedown. McCarthy tries to sprawl out of it but Pizziconi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCarthy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cormac McCarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Osmany Pizziconi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pizziconi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pizziconi dives in and grabs McCarthy's left leg, looking for a takedown. McCarthy pushes down on Pizziconi's head and hops out.
McCarthy throws a jab when Pizziconi was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizziconi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McCarthy stuffs the takedown.
Pizziconi slips a straight right by McCarthy.
Pizziconi tries to clinch but McCarthy is having none of it.
McCarthy leaves Pizziconi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pizziconi tries to clinch but McCarthy moves out of range.
McCarthy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
No luck for Pizziconi with that takedown attempt.
Pizziconi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McCarthy defends well and Pizziconi ends up having to push McCarthy into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Pizziconi slips a jab and a cross from McCarthy.
McCarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pizziconi can do to turn this around?
Pizziconi fails with a takedown attempt.
Cormac McCarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy stuffs the takedown.
McCarthy stuffs the takedown attempt from Pizziconi. Pizziconi gets slowly back to his feet.
McCarthy connects with a jab.
McCarthy scores with a nice right hand.
Pizziconi misses with a takedown attempt - McCarthy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McCarthy throwing a counter right hand but Pizziconi manages to avoid it.
Pizziconi throws a series of punches but McCarthy avoids them all with ease.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pizziconi on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Pizziconi on his heels. He'll look to pass Pizziconi's guard now, I'm sure.
Pizziconi wants to sweep but no luck.
Pizziconi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McCarthy content to stall in guard here.
Pizziconi is trying to control the position but McCarthy postures up.
McCarthy sitting in guard here, content to control.
McCarthy trying to control but Pizziconi is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Osmany Pizziconi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi fails in his attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pizziconi.
Pizziconi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pizziconi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCarthy is fending him off so far but Pizziconi persists. Nope, McCarthy circles away and we're back to standing.
Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown but McCarthy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pizziconi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McCarthy misses with a straight left.
McCarthy misses with a wild body shot.
Pizziconi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pizziconi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pizziconi has his takedown stuffed
and McCarthy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cormac McCarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McCarthy, 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Cormac McCarthy!
Our winner, Cormac McCarthy, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.