PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viraj Mithani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Cooper
vs
Mithani

193 cm
26
209 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

198 cm
24
215 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Cooper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Viraj Mithani!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, John Roberts and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mithani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cooper.
Mithani is looking to land body kicks.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Cooper staying out of range there.

Cooper shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mithani is trying to defend but Cooper finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Mithani trying to hold on to Cooper's head to control him but Cooper postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooper blocks the strikes from Mithani.
Mithani controlling the position well.
Mithani tries to roll over but Cooper keeps him under control.
Mithani is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cooper's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cooper's back!
Mithani is striking from the back but Cooper escapes and manages to recover to half guard.
Mithani missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mithani seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mithani looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mithani is looking to stall here but Cooper recovers full guard.
Cooper has control of Mithani's left arm, preventing Mithani from doing any damage.
Mithani trying to control the position from guard on top but Cooper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cooper has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mithani off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Mithani throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cooper tries to clinch up.
Mithani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mithani misses with a straight left.
Cooper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mithani sprawls well. Mithani wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cooper gets slowly back to his feet.
Mithani looks to score with a jab to the body but Cooper is just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cooper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Cooper dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cooper shoots for a takedown but Mithani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cooper looks for a takedown but Mithani sprawls well.
Cooper shoots in for a takedown but Mithani shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Cooper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cooper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Mithani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mithani misses with a wild combination.
Cooper fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mithani throws a hook but Cooper avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mithani throws a hook but Cooper avoids it easily.
Cooper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A jab from Mithani misses.
A good leg kick by Mithani.
Mithani thows a body shot but no joy.
Cooper doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mithani tries to bum rush Cooper with a series of wild strikes but Cooper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mithani moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mithani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab from Mithani misses.
Mithani tries to bum rush Cooper with a series of wild strikes but Cooper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cooper shoots for a double leg takedown but Mithani sprawls well. He's pushed Cooper's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mithani scores with a decent looking hook.
Cooper blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mithani. Cooper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mithani throws a hook but Cooper blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cooper.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viraj Mithani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mithani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cooper manages to avoid it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cooper.
Mithani defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cooper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mithani throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cooper fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Cooper. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mithani as he jumps to the side.
Cooper will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Cooper throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mithani was covering up waiting for the punch and Cooper finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mithani lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cooper!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mithani pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Cooper is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cooper has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Mithani's lack of action.
Mithani is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mithani is looking to pass Cooper's guard but actually Cooper recovers to full guard.

Cooper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cooper pushes Mithani off and gets back to his feet.

Cooper closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cooper lands in his opponent's guard.
Mithani trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cooper trying to control the position from guard on top but Mithani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cooper stops Mithani from standing up.
Mithani controlling the position.
Mithani controls Cooper momentarily but Cooper frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cooper is fighting to break Mithani's control of his arms but Mithani is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Cooper showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cooper 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Cooper!