PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leo Cotterman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Falcone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Falcone is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: BLACK HAWK DOWN. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Cotterman
vs
Falcone

185 cm
26
210 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

183 cm
31
175 lbs
15 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leo Cotterman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Falcone!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cotterman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Falcone circles away.
Falcone shoots in and drives through. Cotterman sprawls well.
Falcone looks for a takedown but Cotterman sprawls well.
Cotterman throws a sloppy head kick and Falcone moves out of range easily.
Falcone showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cotterman.
Falcone shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cotterman defends it nicely.
Leo Cotterman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Falcone.
Falcone looks gassed!
Cotterman doesn't manage to clinch there - Falcone circles away.
Falcone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Falcone is defended easily by Cotterman.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Falcone.
Cotterman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cotterman tries to clinch there but Falcone circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cotterman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Falcone manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Falcone shoots in looking for a takedown. Cotterman tries to sprawl out of it but Falcone keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cotterman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Cotterman as Falcone shoots in.
Cotterman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cotterman throws a wild body kick that Falcone sees coming a mile off.
Cotterman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cotterman throws a low kick but Falcone avoids it.
Cotterman tries to clinch up but Falcone circles away and keeps his distance.

Cotterman throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Falcone was covering up waiting for the punch and Cotterman finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Falcone controlling Cotterman's posture.
Cotterman throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falcone keeping moving, preventing Cotterman from controlling successfully.
Cotterman is really struggling to control Falcone but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Cotterman throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cotterman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cotterman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Cotterman tries to free his leg and advance position but Falcone is retaining full guard.
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.

Leo Cotterman has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Falcone has his takedown stuffed

and Cotterman counters with a takedown into side control.
Cotterman tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Cotterman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Falcone keeps working.

Cotterman is trying to get an arm triangle but Falcone is defending well.
Falcone wants to control but Cotterman postures up.
Sloppy strikes there by Cotterman.
Cotterman is looking to take a break and control but Falcone is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cotterman working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falcone is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cotterman off and has taken his back!
Falcone is hanging on to Cotterman's back as he tries to escape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Falcone gets his hands free as Cotterman looks to control.
Falcone has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Cotterman.
Cotterman is trying to get back to his feet but Falcone has full control of the position and if anything, Cotterman has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Falcone punches Cotterman on the ear.
Cotterman holding both Falcone 's hands and preventing any damage.
I really don't envy Cotterman right now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Can Cotterman hold on?! Falcone is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Falcone is trying to stick to Cotterman's back but Cotterman is turning into Falcone. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Falcone's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Cotterman.
Cotterman trying to control but Falcone is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Cotterman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Falcone has his takedown stuffed

and Cotterman counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cotterman.
Falcone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cotterman.
Cotterman trying to control the position from guard on top but Falcone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cotterman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Falcone is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cotterman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cotterman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leo Cotterman wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cotterman tries to clinch but Falcone is having none of it.
Bruno Falcone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Falcone displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cotterman.
Falcone misses with a takedown attempt

and Cotterman counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcone wants to control but Cotterman postures up.
Falcone is breathing heavily.
Cotterman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cotterman wants to control but Falcone is keeping him busy.
Cotterman grinds an elbow into Falcone's temple.
Cotterman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Falcone keeps working.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Falcone is not content to let Cotterman control the position.

Cotterman tries for a kimura but Falcone is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falcone wants to control but Cotterman postures up.
Cotterman wants to stand but Falcone is controlling his arm.
Falcone is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Cotterman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Falcone's head.
Falcone keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Falcone wants to control but Cotterman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
It looks like Cotterman is going to stand back up.
Falcone slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cotterman advances position into side control!
Falcone can't do much from the bottom here.
Cotterman trying to control the action but Falcone is working from the bottom.
Cotterman tries to advance position but instead Falcone slips a leg back in to half guard.
Falcone trying to hold on to Cotterman's head to control him but Cotterman postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cotterman is keen to just control but Falcone is a slippery customer.
Leo Cotterman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leo Cotterman wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Falcone misses with a takedown

and Cotterman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Falcone!
Leo Cotterman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Falcone.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cotterman tries to control but Falcone wriggling away.
Cotterman landing shots from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cotterman trying to control but Falcone is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Cotterman dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cotterman 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.
Cotterman wants to slow Falcone down by chopping away at his legs.
Falcone has his takedown stuffed

and Cotterman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cotterman wants to stand up but Falcone has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Cotterman is nestled in close to Falcone, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Falcone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cotterman.

Cotterman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Falcone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cotterman trying to control from half guard but Falcone is working away.
Falcone wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cotterman working over Falcone with some ground and pound. Falcone looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cotterman wants to free his trapped foot but Falcone is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Falcone gets back to full guard.
Falcone trying to control the position here.
Cotterman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Cotterman stopping the sweep attempt from Falcone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cotterman content to stall in guard here.
Bruno Falcone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Leo Cotterman just wasn't active enough.
Cotterman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Leo Cotterman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cotterman shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Falcone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cotterman.
Falcone is staying active underneath Cotterman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cotterman prevents Falcone from improving his position.
Cotterman tries to stand and escape but Falcone is controlling the position.
Cotterman trying to control the action but Falcone is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Leo Cotterman wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Falcone is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cotterman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cotterman.
Falcone misses with a takedown attempt - Cotterman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leo Cotterman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Falcone.
Cotterman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cotterman stuffs the takedown attempt from Falcone. Falcone gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cotterman throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Falcone tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cotterman is in Falcone's guard.
Falcone is trying to control the position but Cotterman postures up.
Cotterman trying to control the position from guard on top but Falcone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Falcone throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Cotterman wants to control from the top but Falcone keeps moving.
Cotterman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Falcone can do to turn this around?
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Falcone controlling the position.
Cotterman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leo Cotterman wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cotterman throws a series of punches but Falcone avoids them all with ease.

Falcone closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cotterman to the mat! Cotterman manages to get full guard.
Leo Cotterman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Falcone postures up in Cotterman's guard and throws a big left but Cotterman blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Cotterman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cotterman 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Cotterman!