PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dave Collins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Collins kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Beginning of the End. The crowd seem to be enjoying Calzaghe's choice of entrance music: The Pride of Wales. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Collins
vs
Calzaghe

178 cm
33
175 lbs
22 - 16 - 1

182 cm
28
173 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 22 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Dave Collins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Joe Calzaghe!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calzaghe drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Calzaghe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Collins.
Collins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Collins throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Collins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Collins swings for the body but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Calzaghe cracks Collins with a right hand to the side of the head.
Collins swings away with a body shot that misses
and Calzaghe counters with a right hand to the body.
Dave Collins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calzaghe misses with a body shot.
Collins shoots for a takedown but Calzaghe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Collins gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Calzaghe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Calzaghe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe thows a body shot but no joy.
Collins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
No luck for Collins with that takedown attempt.
A combination from Calzaghe does no damage.
Collins tries a head kick but it misses.
Collins swings for the body but Calzaghe moves out of range.

Collins gets the takedown into side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Calzaghe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Collins working away.
Collins cracks Calzaghe with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Calzaghe wants to control but Collins postures up.

Calzaghe sneaks out the side door and pushes Collins away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Collins looks to score with a jab to the body but Calzaghe is just out of range.
Collins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Calzaghe ducks under a wild hook from Collins.
Calzaghe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Collins scores with a one two! Calzaghe had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Collins moves out of range as Calzaghe strikes.
Calzaghe looks to land a left hand but Collins moved out of range nicely.
Calzaghe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Calzaghe throws a shot from downtown. Collins moves away and avoids it.
Calzaghe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Collins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Calzaghe as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Collins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Calzaghe misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins throws a lazy right hand but Calzaghe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Collins misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Calzaghe counters with a nice uppercut.
Calzaghe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Collins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Calzaghe manages to avoid it.
Collins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Calzaghe moves away.
Collins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Calzaghe tries to avoid it but Collins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Calzaghe to the ground. Calzaghe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Calzaghe.
Calzaghe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Collins was well out of range. Poor timing from Calzaghe.
Calzaghe throws out a loose jab but Collins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Calzaghe lands a nice shot that snaps Collins's head back.
Calzaghe cracks Collins with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Collins. Calzaghe does a little dance to reset his feet.

Collins drives through with a takedown into Calzaghe's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Calzaghe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Collins defends it easily.
Calzaghe looking for a sweep. Not yet Calzaghe, not yet.
Calzaghe has momentary wrist control but Collins slips an elbow through the middle.
Collins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Calzaghe wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Collins trying to control the position from guard on top but Calzaghe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Collins has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Calzaghe is pulling down on Collins's head. It's preventing any offense from Collins, at least for the moment.
Calzaghe is trying to keep Collins in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Calzaghe will probably get the nod.
That's time! Collins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Calzaghe lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Calzaghe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Collins doesn't seem bothered though.
Calzaghe looks to score with a jab to the body but Collins is just out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Calzaghe.
Collins throws a body punch but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Calzaghe looks to land a right hand but Collins moved out of range.
Calzaghe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Calzaghe finds it's way through Collins's defenses.
Calzaghe lands with a nice combination. Collins backs away looking to recover.
Joe Calzaghe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Collins jabs at Calzaghe's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Calzaghe finds it's way through Collins's defenses.
Collins is looking to wear down Calzaghe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The fighters circling - Calzaghe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Collins throws a looping overhand right but Calzaghe ducks down to avoid it.
Collins misses with a hook.
Calzaghe missing with a left hand there. Collins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice body punch from Calzaghe.
Collins throws a leg kick but Calzaghe moved away.
Calzaghe misses with a wild body shot.
Calzaghe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Collins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Collins throws a jab but it's blocked by Calzaghe.
Collins throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Collins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Calzaghe moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins ducks under a wild hook from Calzaghe.
Collins takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Collins tries a head kick but it misses.
Calzaghe lands a slapping body shot.
Calzaghe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Calzaghe avoids the head kick by Collins.
A head kick misses from Collins.
Calzaghe misses with a straight left.
Calzaghe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Calzaghe jabs Collins to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Calzaghe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Calzaghe misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe misses the shot to the body.
Calzaghe scores with a jab to the jaw.
Collins shoots in looking for a takedown. Calzaghe tries to sprawl out of it but Collins keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Calzaghe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Collins takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Joe Calzaghe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Calzaghe throws a good cross that connects.

Collins scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Calzaghe manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Collins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Collins manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe won't allow Collins to sweep him here.

Calzaghe gets to his feet. Collins looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Collins dives in and grabs Calzaghe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Calzaghe pushes down on Collins's head and hops out.
Calzaghe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Collins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Calzaghe scores with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Calzaghe. Collins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Collins swings away with a body shot that misses
and Calzaghe counters with a straight right hand.
Collins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Calzaghe leaves Collins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Collins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Calzaghe cracks Collins with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Calzaghe 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! This is the final round!

Calzaghe swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Collins.
Calzaghe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Collins moves away.
Calzaghe with a nice cross.
Calzaghe blocks a leg kick.
Collins throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Collins misses its intended target.
Collins with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Calzaghe to score with a decent uppercut.
Collins takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Calzaghe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Calzaghe just misses with a punch to the body.
Calzaghe lands a nice shot that snaps Collins's head back.
Collins slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Collins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Collins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Calzaghe.
Calzaghe blocks a head kick by Collins.
Calzaghe throws a right hand that Collins ducks under and follows up with a left that Collins also avoids with ease.
Calzaghe thuds a left hand into Collins's body.
Collins misses with a straight right.
Some bone on bone action there as Calzaghe checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Calzaghe misses with a left hand
and Collins counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Collins takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Calzaghe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Collins throws a low kick but Calzaghe moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe checks a leg kick nicely.
Collins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Calzaghe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Collins avoids the body shot from Calzaghe.
Collins with a jab.
Collins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Collins closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Calzaghe did well to prevent Collins getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Calzaghe is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Collins pulls his head out easily.
Calzaghe wants to get back to his feet.
Calzaghe is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Collins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Collins's back!

Collins is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Calzaghe gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Collins prevents Calzaghe from getting a body triangle.

Calzaghe looking to break Collins's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Collins remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Calzaghe will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Calzaghe controlling the position well here. Collins rolled but Calzaghe kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Collins trying to control the hands but Calzaghe won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Collins wants to escape the position.
Dave Collins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Calzaghe looking for the choke but no joy.
Calzaghe misses with punches from the back.
Calzaghe doesn't have the hooks in and Collins manages to turn into his guard.
Collins throws an elbow that misses. Calzaghe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Collins's guard. Nice move by Calzaghe!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Calzaghe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Calzaghe stopping the sweep attempt from Collins.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Calzaghe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Calzaghe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Calzaghe!
After the big win, Joe Calzaghe made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Untouchable Fight Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.