PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Orion Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cane Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Orion Cook has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cook
vs
Velasquez

184 cm
22
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
181 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orion Cook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cane Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez is looking to chop away at Cook's legs.
Velasquez misses with a kick to the body.
Velasquez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cook changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasquez tries to avoid it but Cook manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasquez to the ground. Velasquez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Cook darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cook slows the pace down in half guard.
Cook thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Cook is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Velasquez is just riding it out for now. Cook eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez is looking for a sweep. Cook is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cook is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cook's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cook moves into full mount! Velasquez won't be happy about that!

Cook looking for a guillotine from mount but Velasquez is having none of it.
Velasquez is looking to get to half guard.
Cook controlling his opponent.

Cook looking to secure an arm triangle but Velasquez defends it well.
Velasquez has given up his back here. Will Cook look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Cook has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Velasquez's body.
Cook wants to control but Velasquez is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to roll but Cook sticks to his back.
Velasquez looks gassed!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Cook controlling the positon.
Velasquez can't escape the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Cook's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Velasquez showing good submission defense here.
Velasquez is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Cook off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Velasquez is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Cook is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Velasquez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Cook is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Velasquez with him. Velasquez is trying to defend but Cook has an arm under the chin now! Velasquez grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Orion Cook!