PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Jacob Cullen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and EJ Bashor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cullen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Breaking Fangs. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Cullen
vs
Bashor

203 cm
21
265 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

220 cm
21
273 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

World class MT
Cardio machine

World class boxer
Granite chin

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jacob Cullen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, EJ Bashor!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cullen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bashor tests Cullen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Jacob Cullen has been cut.
Cullen wants to clinch up but Bashor keeps it at a distance.
Bashor checks a leg kick.

Cullen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Cullen trying to land knees to the body.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Cullen slows down the pace here.
Cullen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.
Cullen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen with a knee to the head.

It looks like EJ Bashor has been cut.
Cullen connects with a knee to the head.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Bashor tries to break the clinch but Cullen is controlling the position.
Bashor tries to circle away but Cullen has him pinned against the ropes.
Bashor tries to throw a body punch but Cullen avoids it by throwing Bashor back against the ropes.
Cullen crunches a lovely knee into Bashor's ribcage.
Bashor avoiding damage as Cullen throws knees to the body.
Cullen landing knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cullen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bashor tries to break the clinch but Cullen is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashor avoiding damage as Cullen throws knees to the body.
Cullen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bashor is defending well for now.
Cullen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cullen gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Cullen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Cullen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bashor's brow.
Bashor is trying to push Cullen away but Cullen has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Bashor avoiding damage as Cullen throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
Cullen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bashor has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen is pushing Bashor up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bashor takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bashor working hard to break the clinch.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
The referee calls for Cullen to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bashor lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Bashor tries to circle away but Cullen has him pinned against the ropes.
Cullen just leaning against Bashor, taking a breather.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
Cullen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cullen misses with a knee strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cullen looking to throw knees to the head but Bashor is blocking nicely.
Cullen holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cullen dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cullen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bashor goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cullen.
Bashor looks to score with a jab to the body but Cullen is just out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cullen stalling against the ropes.
Cullen landing knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cullen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bashor in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Cullen slows down the pace here.
Bashor tries to break the clinch but Cullen is controlling the position.
Cullen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bashor can do to turn this around?
Bashor is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen misses with a knee strike.
Bashor is looking to break free of the clinch but Cullen has double underhooks.
Bashor is trying to force a seperation but Cullen has the dominant position.
Cullen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Cullen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bashor misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Cullen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.
Cullen stalling against the ropes.
Cullen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bashor has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bashor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Bashor.
Bashor takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cullen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bashor's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cullen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bashor misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cullen looking to throw knees to the head but Bashor is blocking nicely.
Cullen crunches a lovely knee into Bashor's ribcage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cullen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bashor blocks it with crossed arms.
Bashor is trying to break the clinch but Cullen has him pressed against the ropes.
Bashor is trying to maintain a safe position but Cullen gets an underhook and turns Bashor into the ropes.
Cullen misses with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Cullen.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Cullen just leaning against Bashor, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cullen scores a nice knee to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Bashor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cullen has him pressed against the ropes.
Cullen misses with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cullen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cullen looking to throw knees to the head but Bashor is blocking nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Bashor is trying to break free.
Bashor wants to break free but Cullen has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cullen dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bashor scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cullen moves out of range of the strikes.
Bashor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bashor.
Cullen thows a leg kick but Bashor checks it
and Bashor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bashor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bashor lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bashor steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cullen. That one must have hurt.
Bashor thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cullen if he has to take too many more of those.
A punch combination from Cullen misses.

Cullen gets a clinch.
Cullen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen misses with a knee strike.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
Bashor looking to slow down the pace here.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Bashor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Bashor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cullen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bashor.
Cullen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bashor is looking to break free of the clinch but Cullen has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullen scores a nice knee to the body.
Bashor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cullen misses with a knee to the head.
Bashor avoiding damage as Cullen throws knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cullen.
Cullen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen controlling the action here for a moment.
Cullen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bashor's face.
Cullen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cullen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cullen trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor tries to break the clinch but Cullen is controlling the position.
Bashor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cullen has him pressed against the ropes.
Cullen keeps control of Bashor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cullen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Cullen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
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!
Bashor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bashor takes a knee to the side of the body.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bashor is trying to push Cullen away but Cullen has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Cullen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cullen slows down the pace here.
Bashor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cullen crunches a lovely knee into Bashor's ribcage.
Cullen lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cullen working Bashor over with knees to the body.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Bashor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cullen clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cullen gets a clinch.
Cullen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bashor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Cullen lands an uppercut.
Cullen with a knee to the head.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the head but Bashor blocks with his arms.
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.
A bit of stalling here from Cullen.
Bashor wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen just leaning against Bashor, taking a breather.
Cullen connects with a knee to the head.
Bashor is trying to break the clinch but Cullen is controlling him.
Cullen throws an elbow that misses.
Bashor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cullen.
Bashor is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cullen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Cullen misses with a knee to the head.
Bashor is looking to break free of the clinch but Cullen has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Bashor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Cullen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cullen pushes off an throws an elbow but Bashor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Cullen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bashor.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the head but Bashor blocks with his arms.
Cullen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bashor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cullen tries to land knees in the clinch but Bashor avoids the damage to the body.
Cullen has Bashor pushed against the ropes.
Bashor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullen effectively controlling the action here.
Bashor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cullen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bashor is defending well for now.
Bashor wants to stall.
Cullen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cullen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bashor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bashor is looking to break free of the clinch but Cullen has double underhooks.
Jacob Cullen has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bashor in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.
Cullen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Cullen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cullen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen looking to throw knees to the head but Bashor is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cullen crunches a lovely knee into Bashor's ribcage.
Cullen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Cullen had his way with EJ Bashor in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cullen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bashor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cullen throws a leg kick
and Bashor counters with a nice kick to the body.
Cullen ducks under a wild hook from Bashor.
Bashor checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cullen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bashor misses with a few strikes there.

Cullen forces Bashor back against the ropes and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cullen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cullen looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bashor takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cullen misses with a knee strike.
Bashor is trying to break free.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cullen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Still in the clinch, Cullen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bashor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Cullen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bashor avoids it.
Bashor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Jacob Cullen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullen missing with knees to the body.
Cullen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cullen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bashor's efforts to push away.
Cullen connects with a knee to the head.
Cullen stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Cullen for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Bashor managing to block the knees to the body from Cullen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor wants to break free but Cullen has control.
Bashor has had enough of the clinch but Cullen keeps him there for the moment.
Cullen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bashor blocks it with crossed arms.
Bashor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cullen misses with a punch to the body.
Cullen stalling.
Bashor misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cullen.
A bit of stalling here from Cullen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bashor is defending well for now.
EJ Bashor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cullen misses with a knee to the head.
Cullen lands a good knee to the midsection. Bashor won't want to take too many of those.
Bashor wants to get back to striking at distance but Cullen won't allow it.
Cullen'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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Cullen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cullen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Cullen!
Jacob Cullen very nearly forgot to thank Steel Penn's Laundry 93% amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.