PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Caleb Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pocket Rocket (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cortez
vs
Rocket

170 cm
18
146 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

168 cm
18
141 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Caleb Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pocket Rocket!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rocket keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Rocket slips the punch.
Cortez misses with an uppercut. Rocket saw that one coming.
Rocket scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cortez lands a jab.
Jab, jab by Cortez - just one landing.
Rocket avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rocket showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cortez.
Rocket blocks a jab.
Rocket scores with a leg kick.
Rocket swats away the attempt to clinch by Cortez.
Rocket 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice jab there from Rocket.
Cortez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rocket checks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rocket checks it well.
Cortez misses with a right hand
letting Rocket counter with a right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Rocket as he connects with a hook.

Cortez is rocked!

It looks like Caleb Cortez has been cut.
Rocket misses with a looping left.
Oh Cortez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rocket takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rocket thuds his right hand into Cortez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rocket scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cortez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rocket lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cortez's sensitive parts.
Rocket comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cortez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocket connects with a looping right hand.
Rocket uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Rocket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocket pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rocket lands a jab.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Rocket ducks down to avoid it.
Cortez wants to clinch up but Rocket keeps it at a distance.
A right-left combo lands from Cortez.
Cortez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rocket ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cortez misses with a kick to the body.
Cortez seems to have got his legs back now.
Rocket looks to land a right hand but Cortez moved out of range.
Rocket throws a shot to the body.
Cortez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Cortez has closed the distance and engaged Rocket in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocket throws a head punch that misses.
Rocket is struggling to control the position.
Rocket stalling in the clinch but Cortez improves position.
Cortez tries to break the clinch but Rocket is controlling the position.
Rocket looking to slow down the pace here.
Cortez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Cortez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rocket misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rocket misses with a punch to the body.
Rocket lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rocket lands a left hand.
Cortez lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez misses with a punch on the inside.
Cortez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stalling in the clinch from Rocket.
Rocket continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Rocket throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
Rocket tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rocket makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cortez tries to break the clinch but Rocket is controlling the position.
Cortez tries to break free but Rocket pushes him back against the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rocket'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.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rocket looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pocket Rocket dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Caleb Cortez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cortez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cortez throws a hook but Rocket avoids it easily.
Pocket Rocket seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Cortez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rocket lands a nice shot that snaps Cortez's head back.
A big left from Cortez misses.
Cortez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rocket takes a swing at Cortez's ribcage but misses.
Rocket throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cortez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rocket misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cortez.
Rocket misses with a body shot.
Caleb Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cortez ducks under a wild hook from Rocket.
Cortez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rocket loads up on a big right hand but Cortez slips the punch.
Cortez lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
A cross from Rocket lands.
Cortez throws a leg kick but Rocket sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rocket digs a good body shot into Cortez's ribs.
A big right from Cortez misses.
Cortez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cortez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cortez throws a hook to the side of Rocket's head but Rocket sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rocket loads up on a big right hand but Cortez slips the punch.
Cortez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rocket.
Cortez looks to land a left hand but Rocket moved out of range nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by Cortez as he connects with a hook.
Cortez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rocket scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocket lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cortez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez throws an off balance right hand
and Rocket counters with a body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortez looks to throw the jab but Rocket is out of range.
Cortez lands a body shot.
Cortez lands a right hook to the body.
Rocket ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rocket fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cortez.
Rocket ducks under a wild hook from Cortez.
Rocket delivers a nice body kick.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rocket lands a nice hook to Cortez's body. Cortez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cortez misses with an uppercut. Rocket saw that one coming.
Rocket showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cortez.
Rocket sizes up Cortez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocket uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cortez.
Rocket tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rocket looks to score with a jab to the body but Cortez is just out of range.
Rocket tries to work over Cortez's front leg with a kick but Cortez checks it.
Nice defenses there by Rocket.
Rocket lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cortez drops his hands momentarily and Rocket takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cortez misses with a looping right.
Good exchange - Rocket coming out on top.
Rocket buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slow jab from Rocket misses its intended target.
Nice cross by Cortez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocket takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rocket looks to land a left hand but Cortez moved out of range nicely.
Cortez looks to throw the jab but Rocket is out of range.
Rocket moves away from the strike by Cortez.
Cortez checks the leg kick.
Cortez throws a solid leg kick but Rocket takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cortez.
Cortez wants to clinch up but Rocket keeps it at a distance.
Rocket avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Cortez.
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.
Rocket misses with an uppercut. Cortez saw that one coming.
Cortez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rocket misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pocket Rocket will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Caleb Cortez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rocket scores with a jab to the head.
Rocket avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rocket changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Rocket moved out of range.
Cortez moves forwards but Rocket connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cortez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rocket scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Rocket slips the punch.
Cortez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rocket thows a body shot but no joy.
Cortez moves out of range of the strikes.
Cortez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rocket tries to land a leg kick but Cortez saw it coming and moves away.
Cortez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rocket can pounce on him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rocket ducks under a wild hook from Cortez.
Rocket fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cortez cracks Rocket with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cortez misses with a straight right.
Rocket blocks a jab.
Cortez misses with a straight right.
Cortez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rocket.
Cortez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rocket moves away from the strike by Cortez.
Rocket thuds his right hand into Cortez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cortez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cortez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rocket in his tracks.
Rocket lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rocket. Rocket circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rocket throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rocket displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cortez throws out the jab.
Rocket scores with a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocket throws a big shot that misses.
Good work by Cortez as he checks the leg kick.
Cortez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cortez looks to land a combination. Rocket sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rocket stuns Cortez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rocket throws the kick towards the body but Cortez avoids it.
Cortez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rocket lands a lovely overhand right.
Rocket connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez misses with a few strikes there.
Rocket 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.
Rocket ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rocket looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rocket misses with a wild body shot.
Cortez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rocket manages to avoid it.
Cortez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rocket on the side of the head.
Rocket takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortez moves out of range as Rocket strikes.
Cortez misses with a looping left.
Cortez misses with a low kick.
A jab from Cortez misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocket uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cortez.
Rocket dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rocket with a nice cross.
Cortez connects with a looping right hand.
Cortez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rocket scores with a spinning back kick!
Cortez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cortez looks to throw the jab but Rocket is out of range.
Cortez throws a shot from downtown. Rocket moves away and avoids it.
Rocket paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rocket scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cortez doesn't seem bothered though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rocket missing with a left hand there. Cortez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cortez clobbers Rocket with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Cortez works Rocket's body with a nice hook.
Caleb Cortez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pocket Rocket is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rocket ducks under a wild hook from Cortez.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pocket Rocket.
Well Rocket 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pocket Rocket!
A very excited looking Pocket Rocket made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.