PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus OConnor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cole comes to the cage accompanied by Michael Cole's Entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cole
vs
OConnor

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus OConnor!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Dean Styles and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OConnor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cole tries to avoid it but OConnor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cole to the ground. Cole escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

OConnor closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cole quickly recovers to half guard.
Cole wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cole blocking the ground and pound attempt from OConnor.
Cole moves into full guard.
OConnor is stalling in the full guard.

Cole has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but OConnor can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnor sitting in guard here, content to control.
I looks like OConnor might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Cole working a defensive guard but OConnor manages to pass into side control anyway.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

OConnor tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no OConnor has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two 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.
Cole is looking for a sweep.
OConnor remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole is trying to work for a sweep but OConnor has mounted him!
OConnor fails to take his opponent's back.
Cole sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
OConnor takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cole has a hand on OConnor's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. OConnor takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConnor looking to finish with strikes here!
OConnor controlling from the full mount.
Cole has given up his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

OConnor looking for the choke but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus OConnor dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

OConnor moves in looking to clinch but Cole pushes him off.
Cole leaves OConnor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cole cracks OConnor with a good jab.

Cole gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows OConnor to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Cole working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. OConnor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. OConnor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
OConnor wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OConnor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cole has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, OConnor has managed to get both his arms back between Cole's legs - danger averted.
OConnor content to stall in guard here.
OConnor wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.

Cole looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! OConnor has picked Cole up and slammed him! Cole can't keep hold of the triangle and OConnor manages to pass to side control!

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.
Cole tries to buck OConnor off but OConnor is having none of it.
A lull in the action here as OConnor stalls from top position.
Cole prevents OConnor from moving into mount.
OConnor controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole is trying to get back to half guard.
Cole prevents OConnor from improving position.
OConnor gets to mount! Cole was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Cole is looking to improve his position but OConnor isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
Cole wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
OConnor biding his time, controlling Cole.
Cole rolls, trying to escape but OConnor keeps control of the position.
OConnor is riding his opponent, not letting Cole buck him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus OConnor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cole slips under a jab from OConnor.
Cole closes the distance and clinches up with OConnor, looking for a takedown. Cole pushes OConnor against the cage but OConnor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
OConnor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten OConnor somewhat.
OConnor shoots for a double leg takedown but Cole sprawls well. He's pushed OConnor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
OConnor shoots in but no luck this time.
Michael Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus OConnor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnor shoots in but no luck this time.
Marcus OConnor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cole paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
OConnor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten OConnor somewhat.
OConnor is looking to clinch but Cole is avoiding it.
OConnor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Cole. No joy for OConnor on that attempt.
OConnor misses with a takedown
and Cole counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cole misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

OConnor darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cole wants to control but OConnor is keeping busy.
Cole trying to get back to full guard but OConnor takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Marcus OConnor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole is in all sorts of trouble here.
OConnor takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Cole is looking to get to half guard.
Marcus OConnor has got the better of the ground game so far.
OConnor sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
OConnor forces the positional change into back control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole turns into OConnor and is now in his guard.

Cole drops back, looking for a kneebar! OConnor looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. OConnor looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from OConnor!
Cole being controlled for a moment.
Cole regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConnor is thwarting Cole's attempts to control the position.
OConnor content to control rather than advance.
OConnor moves nicely into side control.
Michael Cole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus OConnor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got OConnor winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus OConnor!