PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Cerrone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mal Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reynolds has chosen Can't take the sky from me as his entrance music. Stephen Cerrone had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Cerrone
vs
Reynolds

175 cm
29
180 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

185 cm
28
180 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stephen Cerrone!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mal Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reynolds fails with the takedown
and Cerrone counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Stephen Cerrone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reynolds slips a jab and a cross from Cerrone.
Cerrone keeps the fight on the outside.
Reynolds shoots in for a double leg but Cerrone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cerrone swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Reynolds counters by moving into the clinch.
Cerrone digs a right hand underneath Reynolds's ribcage. Reynolds let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Reynolds keeps control of Cerrone as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cerrone stops a takedown attempt from Reynolds.
Stephen Cerrone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mal Reynolds.
Reynolds has Cerrone pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cerrone manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Reynolds blocks an uppercut.
Cerrone lands a body punch.
Reynolds trying to control the position but instead, Cerrone has worked for underhooks and has pushed Reynolds into the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
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!
Cerrone lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cerrone misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cerrone gets underhooks to prevent Reynolds's takedown attempt.
Cerrone misses with a punch on the inside.
Cerrone goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cerrone blocking some punches.
Reynolds prevents a body shot from Cerrone.
Cerrone lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reynolds blocking some punches.
Cerrone lands a shoulder strike.
Reynolds swings wildly with an uppercut but Cerrone uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cerrone throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Reynolds tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cerrone's elbow.
Cerrone prevents the takedown attempt.
Cerrone softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reynolds.
Cerrone lands with a light punch inside.
Cerrone lands a hook that snaps the head of Reynolds backwards.
Reynolds lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cerrone backwards.
Cerrone lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reynolds tries for a takedown but Cerrone manages to get underhooks.
Cerrone slowing the pace effectively.
Cerrone tries a body shot but Reynolds blocks it.
Cerrone blocks an uppercut.
Reynolds drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cerrone gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Reynolds blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Reynolds being controlled against the cage.
Reynolds blocking some punches.

Cerrone jumps guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Reynolds is in close to Cerrone's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Reynolds throwing strikes from guard but Cerrone blocks nicely.
Reynolds must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Reynolds is working Cerrone over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cerrone is on top in guard.
Cerrone trying to control the position from guard on top but Reynolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reynolds controls Cerrone momentarily but Cerrone frees himself.
Reynolds wants to sweep here but Cerrone controlling him for the moment.
Cerrone wants to control from the top but Reynolds keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stephen Cerrone wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Reynolds takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds swats away the attempt to clinch by Cerrone.
Reynolds keeps the fight on the outside.
Cerrone throws a hook but Reynolds avoids it easily.
Reynolds is looking to chop away at Cerrone's legs.
Cerrone throws a right hand that Reynolds ducks under and follows up with a left that Reynolds also avoids with ease.
Cerrone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cerrone is looking to clinch but Reynolds is avoiding it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cerrone throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reynolds connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cerrone misses the shot to the body.
Cerrone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Reynolds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cerrone takes a swing at Reynolds's ribcage but misses.
Cerrone misses with a lunging right hand
and Reynolds connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reynolds shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cerrone pinned against the cage. Cerrone gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Cerrone gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cerrone doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stephen Cerrone has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Cerrone misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cerrone tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cerrone struggles to land a body shot inside as Reynolds controls his hands.
Cerrone misses with a short punch on the inside.
Reynolds misses with some punches.
Reynolds swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Reynolds throws a punch but it's blocked by Cerrone.
Cerrone blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cerrone lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Cerrone.

Reynolds has clasped his hands together around Cerrone's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Reynolds misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Reynolds wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cerrone keeps working.
Reynolds taking a break here but Cerrone is having none of it and regains half guard.
Cerrone wants to get back to full guard.
Cerrone keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Reynolds seems to be looking for submissions.
Cerrone manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds looking to sit in guard and control but Cerrone gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cerrone is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Reynolds is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Reynolds has escaped and now he's on top!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Reynolds postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cerrone is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Reynolds, into his guard.
Cerrone trying to control the position from guard on top but Reynolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds is trying to control the position but Cerrone postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reynolds wants to control the position but Cerrone says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Cerrone wants to work for an arm triangle but Reynolds is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Reynolds wants to get back to full guard.

Cerrone is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Cerrone wants to work for an arm triangle but Reynolds is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Cerrone is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Reynolds manages to get to full guard.
Reynolds looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cerrone is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cerrone trying to control the position from guard on top but Reynolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cerrone stands and throws Reynolds's legs to the side, diving into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cerrone looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Stephen Cerrone overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Cerrone wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Reynolds, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stephen Cerrone will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cerrone misses with a body shot.
Cerrone throws a lazy uppercut

and Reynolds counters with a single leg into guard. Cerrone didn't expect that.
Cerrone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Reynolds postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cerrone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Reynolds looking to sit in guard and control but Cerrone gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cerrone drops back, looking for a kneebar! Reynolds looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Reynolds looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Reynolds!
Reynolds controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reynolds tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Reynolds working the ground and pound but Cerrone is defending the strikes.

Reynolds working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Reynolds taking a break here but Cerrone is having none of it and regains half guard.

Reynolds is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cerrone sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cerrone has one foot on Reynolds's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A big left from Cerrone misses.
Cerrone throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A shot to the liver by Reynolds. Beautiful body shot.
Cerrone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cerrone tries to clinch up.
Reynolds dodges the punch combination from Cerrone.

Reynolds shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cerrone keeping moving, preventing Reynolds from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds with a nice head shot there.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Cerrone keeps moving.
Reynolds wants to pass the guard but Cerrone is keeping the position.
Cerrone looking for a sweep. Not yet Cerrone, not yet.
Cerrone preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reynolds wants to pass the guard but Cerrone is keeping the position.
Cerrone is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Reynolds pushes down on Cerrone's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Reynolds missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cerrone wants to improve his position but Reynolds is controlling well.
Cerrone is staying active underneath Reynolds, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cerrone has hold of Reynolds's hands but Reynolds slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reynolds missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Reynolds is trying to work for a kimura but Cerrone is defending well.
Reynolds is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cerrone reverses the position - he's now on top in Reynolds's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mal Reynolds really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cerrone stuffs the takedown attempt from Reynolds. Reynolds gets slowly back to his feet.
Cerrone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice cross by Reynolds.
Cerrone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cerrone stuffs the takedown.
Reynolds avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reynolds shoots for a takedown but Cerrone saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stephen Cerrone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mal Reynolds.
Cerrone tries to clinch up but Reynolds circles away and keeps his distance.
Cerrone moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cerrone throws a nice looking combination but Reynolds bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cerrone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Reynolds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cerrone misses the shot to the body.
Reynolds tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cerrone paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cerrone tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reynolds swivels and escapes.
Cerrone is looking to clinch but Reynolds is avoiding it.
Cerrone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reynolds manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Reynolds there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A big left from Cerrone misses.
Cerrone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reynolds.
Cerrone throws a left and a right that both miss
and Reynolds counters with a nice uppercut.
Cerrone throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds avoids the body shot from Cerrone.
Reynolds avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cerrone throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cerrone enables Reynolds to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cerrone manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reynolds working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reynolds tries to free his leg and advance position but Cerrone is retaining full guard.
Reynolds throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cerrone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Reynolds postures up in Cerrone's guard and throws a big left but Cerrone blocks it.
Reynolds advances to half guard.
Cerrone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Reynolds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds stalling away here and it's allowed Cerrone to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Cerrone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reynolds manages to get himself to full guard.
Reynolds is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Reynolds manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cerrone regains half guard.
Reynolds thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cerrone has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Reynolds is working away from the top position though.
Reynolds seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cerrone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cerrone regains full guard. Nicely done.
Reynolds throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Reynolds with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Reynolds passes Cerrone's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reynolds is looking to stall here but Cerrone recovers full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reynolds trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mal Reynolds will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Reynolds is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cerrone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cerrone scores with the left hand. Reynolds knows he should have avoided that one.
Cerrone throws an off balance right hand
and Reynolds counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Cerrone misses with an uppercut
and Reynolds counters with a leg kick.
Cerrone is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Reynolds's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Cerrone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cerrone moves in looking to clinch but Reynolds pushes him off.
Reynolds uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cerrone.
Reynolds fails with a takedown attempt.
Cerrone takes a jab right on the kisser.
Reynolds shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cerrone sprawls well. Cerrone wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Reynolds gets slowly back to his feet.
Stephen Cerrone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mal Reynolds.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cerrone is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Reynolds's half guard.

Cerrone is looking for a kimura here.
Reynolds is looking for a sweep. Cerrone is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Reynolds controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Cerrone is trying for a kimura here. Reynolds looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Cerrone wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Stephen Cerrone!
Stephen Cerrone is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Stephen Cerrone thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.