PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jordan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Castellano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jordan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Gangnam Style. Castellano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Jordan
vs
Castellano

195 cm
26
175 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

182 cm
20
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Jordan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rich Castellano!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jordan.
Jordan wants to clinch

and Castellano counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Castellano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jordan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Castellano throwing strikes from guard but Jordan blocks nicely.
Castellano won't allow Jordan to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jordan trying to keep a closed guard but Castellano is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Castellano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Castellano not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jordan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castellano is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Michael Jordan just wasn't active enough.
Castellano leaves Jordan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jordan throws a head kick but Castellano moves out of range.
Jordan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castellano as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jordan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Castellano gets the takedown into side control.
Jordan is letting Castellano control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jordan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jordan prevents Castellano from moving into mount.
Castellano cracks Jordan with a big right hand but Jordan just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
You can see the frustration on Jordan's face as Castellano controls the position.
Castellano working the ground and pound but Jordan is defending the strikes.
Castellano is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Jordan's shoulder. That is not cool.
Castellano has control of an arm but Jordan manages to advance to Castellano's back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castellano wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jordan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Jordan has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Castellano has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Castellano looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jordan is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Castellano is defending well though. Jordan let's go of the attempt for now.
Castellano wants to get back to his feet.
Castellano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jordan is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Castellano is defending well though. Jordan let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jordan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castellano swivels and escapes.
Jordan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jordan shoots in but no luck this time.
Jordan misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jordan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Castellano wants to get back to his feet.
Castellano is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jordan trying to control the position but Castellano is working away.
Castellano wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Castellano throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Jordan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jordan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jordan shoots in and drives through. Castellano sprawls well.
Jordan misses with a takedown

and Castellano counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jordan seems a little lost for a moment, as Castellano dominates the positioning.
Jordan looks to move to half guard but instead Castellano has passed into mount! Damn!
Jordan can't escape the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castellano lands a big elbow.
Castellano punishing his opponent with strikes.
Castellano tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castellano in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castellano looking to control and managing it successfully.
Let's hope that Castellano has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Castellano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jordan doesn't manage to clinch there - Castellano circles away.

Castellano scores with a takedown into Jordan's guard.
Castellano controlling from the top position.
Castellano distracts Jordan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castellano slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castellano's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rich Castellano wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jordan throws a nice looking combination but Castellano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jordan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Castellano paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jordan fails to land the takedown.
Jordan tries to clinch but Castellano moves out of range.
Jordan dives in and grabs Castellano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Castellano pushes down on Jordan's head and hops out.
Castellano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jordan fails with the takedown

and Castellano counters with a single leg into guard. Jordan didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jordan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jordan can't keep his opponent in guard - Castellano advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Castellano in particular looking to stall.
Castellano trying to pass the guard but Jordan defending well.
Castellano works his way into full mount!
Jordan is in a horrible position here. Castellano smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Castellano fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castellano controlling his opponent.
Rich Castellano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Castellano landing strikes, looking to finish!
Castellano controlling the pace for now.
Castellano raining down hammerfists from mount.

It looks like Michael Jordan has been cut.
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.
Castellano controlling from the full mount.
Castellano dominating with strikes here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rich Castellano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Castellano 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rich Castellano!
Rich Castellano thanked the fans post fight for their support.