PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taro Mishima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Puckerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mishima's entrance music is a. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mishima
vs
Puckerman

175 cm
29
157 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

184 cm
22
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Taro Mishima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Noah Puckerman!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puckerman throws a leg kick that misses.
Puckerman throws a right hand that misses

and Mishima counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mishima looking to pass the guard.
Mishima prevents Puckerman from getting back to his feet.
Puckerman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mishima's guard.

Puckerman stands up and waves to Mishima to follow him.
Nice uppercut lands for Puckerman. That snapped Mishima's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puckerman throws a lazy uppercut
and Mishima counters with a left to the body.
Puckerman throws a head kick that misses

and Mishima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mishima.
Puckerman keeps control of Mishima as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mishima is trying to break the clinch but Puckerman is controlling him.
Mishima wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Puckerman looking to stall.

Mishima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mishima fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mishima shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Puckerman pinned against the cage. Puckerman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mishima blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Puckerman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mishima.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taro Mishima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puckerman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Puckerman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Puckerman misses with a right hand

and Mishima counters with a single leg into guard. Puckerman didn't expect that.
Mishima trying to control the position from guard on top but Puckerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mishima wants to pass the guard but Puckerman is keeping the position.
Mishima with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taro Mishima dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mishima moves out of range of the body kick from Puckerman.
Puckerman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Puckerman throws a hook to the side of Mishima's head but Mishima sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Puckerman tries to land a leg kick but Mishima saw it coming and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puckerman rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Mishima counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mishima loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Puckerman wants to sweep here but Mishima controlling him for the moment.
Mishima trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mishima missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mishima wants to control from the top but Puckerman keeps moving.
Puckerman wants to sweep here but Mishima controlling him for the moment.
Mishima slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Who's going to make the next move?
Puckerman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mishima wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Mishima tries for a kimura but Puckerman is defending well.

Mishima looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Puckerman is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Mishima here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mishima trying to control the position but Puckerman is working away.
Puckerman dodges the ground and pound from Mishima.
Mishima trying to control the position but Puckerman is working away.
Puckerman regains half guard, as Mishima was trying to land strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mishima passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Puckerman!
Puckerman can't escape the position.
Mishima can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Puckerman is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taro Mishima dominated that second round.
That's time! Mishima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Puckerman misses with a hook

and Mishima counters with a shoot takedown. Puckerman fights it but they end up in guard.
Puckerman keeping moving, preventing Mishima from controlling successfully.
Puckerman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Puckerman wants to hit a switch here but Mishima passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Puckerman there!
Mishima throws some wild stikes that Puckerman manages to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mishima moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Puckerman has worked his arm free - good work by Puckerman!
Mishima throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Puckerman works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Puckerman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Puckerman wants to get back to his feet.
Mishima trying to control the action but Puckerman is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mishima wants to free his trapped foot but Puckerman is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Mishima is working for an americana but Puckerman has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Mishima was thinking about the submission.
Mishima stays in close to Puckerman's body and controls the position.
Mishima trying to control but Puckerman is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mishima drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Puckerman dives on top into guard.
Mishima has a closed guard, preventing Puckerman from standing up.

Mishima is working an open guard so Puckerman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Puckerman is predictable there

and Mishima counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Puckerman!

Mishima moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Puckerman has worked his arm free - good work by Puckerman!

Mishima is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Puckerman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mishima goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Puckerman has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mishima but great work by Puckerman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taro Mishima clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mishima shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Puckerman pinned against the cage. Puckerman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A low kick from Puckerman is predictable there

so Mishima counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mishima wants to pass the guard but Puckerman is keeping the position.
Mishima postures up in Puckerman's guard and throws a big left but Puckerman blocks it.

Mishima postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Puckerman is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mishima, into his guard.
Mishima has a closed guard, preventing Puckerman from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Puckerman stands up and waves to Mishima to follow him.
Puckerman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nice sprawl there from Puckerman as Mishima shoots in.
Puckerman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taro Mishima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puckerman throws a leg kick

so Mishima counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Puckerman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mishima is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mishima is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Puckerman is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Puckerman has escaped and now he's on top!

Puckerman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puckerman. Mishima does a little dance to reset his feet.

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.
Puckerman throws a right hand that misses
and Mishima counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Puckerman misses.
Puckerman misses with a right hand
and Mishima counters with a right hand to the body.
Puckerman swings for the body but Mishima moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taro Mishima had his way with Noah Puckerman in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Puckerman swinging wildly here.
Mishima looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Puckerman is fending him off so far but Mishima persists. Nope, Puckerman circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mishima shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Puckerman as he jumps to the side.
Mishima looks for a takedown but Puckerman sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taro Mishima. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puckerman lands a really nice looking cross but Mishima seems unphased.
Puckerman scores with a jab to the body.
Noah Puckerman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puckerman swings for the body but Mishima moves out of range.
Puckerman throws a right hand that misses

and Mishima counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Puckerman is looking for a sweep. Mishima is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Puckerman is staying active underneath Mishima, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mishima looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Puckerman keeping control of the position.
Puckerman is refusing to be controlled, as Mishima sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mishima is really struggling to control Puckerman but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Taro Mishima just wasn't active enough.
Puckerman throws a low kick but Mishima moves out of range easily.
Noah Puckerman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mishima fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mishima staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Puckerman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mishima shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Puckerman as he avoids it easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Puckerman - that will leave a mark!

And that's the end of the fight!
Noah Puckerman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mishima 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 49:46
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taro Mishima!
Taro Mishima is the new light heavyweight champion!