PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Paleschi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Howard
vs
Paleschi

200 cm
23
275 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
270 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Silver Dragon Pharmacies

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Paleschi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paleschi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Howard.
Howard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Howard blocks a head kick by Paleschi.
Paleschi misses with a straight left.
Paleschi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Howard moves into the clinch.
Paleschi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Howard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Howard lands a body shot.
Howard works on Paleschi's body with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Howard.

Howard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Howard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paleschi circles away quickly and effectively.
A big left from Paleschi misses.
Paleschi misses with a takedown

and Howard counters by moving into the clinch.

Howard manages to break the clinch.

Howard forces Paleschi back against the cage and clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Howard.
Paleschi looks gassed!

Howard breaks the clinch.
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard circles away easily
and Howard counters with a solid body kick.
George Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Paleschi.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howard has managed to clinch.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Chris Paleschi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paleschi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Howard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paleschi.

Howard clinches.
Howard's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Howard lands a left hand.

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Howard moves into range and connects with a jab.
Howard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paleschi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Howard holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paleschi dodges the punch combination from Howard.
Howard closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howard pushes Paleschi up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howard slowing the pace effectively.
Howard lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
George Howard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Howard. That's going to slow Paleschi down.
Howard feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Paleschi's calf.
Howard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Howard scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Howard connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Howard darts in and clinches Paleschi up against the cage.

Howard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Howard moves into the clinch.

Howard manages to break the clinch.
Paleschi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Howard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Howard clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howard breaks from the clinch.

Howard clinches up against the cage.
Howard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Howard.

Howard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Howard closes the distance and clinches.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Howard moves into the clinch successfully.
Paleschi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Howard breaks the clinch.
Howard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Howard gets a clinch.

Howard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Howard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Paleschi.
Paleschi misses with a combination

and Howard counters by clinching up.
Howard stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard manages to get underhooks.
Paleschi takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Chris Paleschi has been cut.
A nice left hand lands by Howard.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Howard pushes Paleschi up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Howard lands an elbow inside.

Howard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Howard misses with the combination.
Paleschi is trying desperately to land a takedown but Howard is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Paleschi.
A punch combination from Howard misses.
Howard looks to land a combination but Paleschi avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paleschi with a poor takedown
and Howard counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howard scores with a leg kick.

Howard has taken the fight to the clinch.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Howard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Paleschi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Howard has managed to clinch.

Howard manages to break the clinch.
Paleschi missing with a left hand there. Howard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paleschi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Howard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Paleschi. That did some damage!
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard circles away easily

and Howard counters by clinching up.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
George Howard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Howard moves into range and connects with a jab.

Howard moves into the clinch.

Howard manages to break the clinch.

Howard rushes Paleschi and presses him up against the cage.
Paleschi takes an elbow to the temple.

Howard breaks from the clinch.

Howard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paleschi is breathing heavily.
Howard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Howard misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard manages to get underhooks.
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard manages to get underhooks.
George Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Paleschi.
Howard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Howard lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Howard lands with a right to the head.

Howard manages to break the clinch.
Howard throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Paleschi slips a jab and a cross from Howard.

Howard has closed the distance and engaged Paleschi in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Howard.

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Howard delivers a nice body kick.
Howard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paleschi can do to turn this around?
Paleschi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Howard counters with a two punch combo.

Howard drives through and clinches with Paleschi against the cage.
Paleschi avoiding damage as Howard throws knees to the body.
Paleschi letting Howard take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paleschi tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short right from Howard on the inside.

Howard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Howard gets a clinch.
Howard is stalling here.

Howard breaks the clinch.

Howard rushes Paleschi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Howard lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Howard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Paleschi tries to keep at a distance but Howard has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howard stops a takedown attempt from Paleschi.
Howard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Howard manages to break the clinch.

Howard clinches.
Howard trying to land knees to the body.
George Howard has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Howard.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Howard.
Howard pushes Paleschi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Paleschi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Howard just leaning against Paleschi, taking a breather.
Paleschi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Howard breaks the clinch.
Howard throws a leg kick which misses Paleschi's front leg but catches the back leg as Paleschi tries to avoid it.
Paleschi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Howard.

Howard has closed the distance and engaged Paleschi in a clinch.
Paleschi takes a shot to the head.

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Howard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Howard clinches with his opponent.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paleschi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Paleschi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Howard has managed to clinch.
Paleschi is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Howard lands with a light punch inside.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Howard closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Howard slows down the pace here.

Howard breaks the clinch.
Nice jab there from Paleschi.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Howard clinches.
Howard lands a body shot.

Howard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Howard swinging wilding here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Howard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Paleschi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Paleschi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Howard.

Howard pushes Paleschi up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Paleschi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howard walks away with a smile on his face. Paleschi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A nice combination there by Howard.
Paleschi loads up on a big right hand but Howard slips the punch.
Paleschi throws a lazy head kick

and Howard counters by clinching up.
Howard is working Paleschi over against the cage.
A short left from Howard.
Paleschi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Howard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howard moves into the clinch successfully.

Howard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Howard content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Howard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paleschi backwards.
Howard lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Paleschi backwards.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Howard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Howard!

Howard has Paleschi up against the cage in a clinch.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paleschi with a lazy takedown attempt

and Howard counters by moving into the clinch.
George Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Paleschi.
A short uppercut from Howard.
The referee is keeping an eye on Howard - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
George Howard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paleschi tries to pull guard but Howard won't allow it.

Howard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howard connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Paleschi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paleschi misses with a looping right.
Howard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Howard scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Howard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Howard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Paleschi tries for a takedown but Howard manages to get underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Howard.

Howard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Howard instigates a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howard breaks the clinch.
Chris Paleschi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Howard closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Howard manages to break the clinch.

Howard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Howard is pressed up against the cage. Paleschi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Howard down to the mat. Howard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Howard lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Howard.

Howard has taken the fight to the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Howard creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Howard slowing the pace effectively.
Paleschi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Paleschi looking for a takedown.
Paleschi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Howard's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Howard scores with a nice short uppercut.
Howard lands a nice uppercut.
Paleschi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howard walks away with a smile on his face. Paleschi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Paleschi with a lazy takedown attempt

and Howard counters by clinching up.

Howard breaks from the clinch.
Paleschi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Howard moves into range and clinches up with Paleschi.

Howard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Paleschi.
Howard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Howard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paleschi can't get the takedown.
A shot in the inside from Howard.
A shot in the inside from Howard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Paleschi avoiding damage as Howard throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Howard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Howard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:24
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:24
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Howard!