PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Common West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Cullens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyson Cullens told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

West
vs
Cullens

183 cm
21
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Common West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyson Cullens!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Franklyn Lucas and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cullens closes the distance but West moves to the side
and West counters with a three punch combo that has Cullens backing up. Cullens nods at West to acknowledge the strikes.
West pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cullens back to the cage. West follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Cullens instigates a clinch.
Cullens has a couple of punches blocked by West.
Cullens stalling in the clinch but West improves position.
West pushes Cullens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cullens is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables West to keep the fight standing.
West gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cullens.

Cullens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cullens connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cullens wants to clinch up but West keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from West misses the target.
Cullens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

West gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
West takes an elbow to the temple.

Cullens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
West shoots in looking for a takedown. Cullens tries to sprawl out of it but West keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cullens manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cullens blocks a head kick by West.
West is breathing heavily.
West misses with a few strikes there.
Cullens shoots in but no luck this time.
Common West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Cullens.
West shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cullens as he avoids it easily.
West shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cullens as he avoids it easily.
West avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cullens fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but West avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

West gets tackled into the cage by Cullens. Cullens maintains the clinch.
Cullens lands a damaging elbow.
Cullens is trying to pull guard but West turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cullens is trying to pull guard but West turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
West swings wildly with an uppercut but Cullens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cullens tries for a takedown. No joy.
West prevents a body shot from Cullens.
This has been an exciting period of action!
West swings wildly with an uppercut but Cullens uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullens is working West over against the cage.
West avoiding damage as Cullens throws knees to the body.
Cullens fails to pull the fight into his guard.
West misses with some punches.
Cullens tries to land knees in the clinch but West avoids the damage to the body.
Cullens has West pushed against the cage.
Cullens keeps control of West as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cullens has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by West after a bit of a struggle.
West misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West is trying to break the clinch but Cullens is controlling him.
Cullens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. West gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cullens is looking for a takedown.

Cullens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from West as Cullens shoots in.
West tries to clinch but Cullens is having none of it.
Cullens slips a jab and a cross from West.
Cullens goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Cullens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from West. Those never looked like landing.
West stalks Cullens and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cullens's face. Cullens staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
West connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Common West will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

West gets a clinch.

Cullens breaks the clinch.
Cullens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
West moves in looking to clinch but Cullens pushes him off.
Cullens misses with a takedown attempt - West sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Cullens closes the distance and pushes West back into the cage.

Cullens breaks from the clinch.
West moves in looking to clinch but Cullens pushes him off.
West circles away from the clinch attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts West, as that shot connected.
West connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

West gets tackled into the cage by Cullens. Cullens maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullens is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cullens tries to pull guard but West holds him up against the cage and eventually Cullens drops back down to his feet.
Cullens keeps control of West as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
West scores with a shoulder strike.
Cullens throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cullens breaks from the clinch.

West closes the distance and clinches.
Cullens is trying to pull guard but West has him pressed against the cage.
Common West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Cullens.
West gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cullens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Cullens manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Cullens throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
West wants to pass the guard but Cullens is keeping the position.
West slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cullens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
West postures up.
West wants to control from the top but Cullens keeps moving.
Cullens is trying to control the position but West postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Common West just wasn't active enough.
Cullens lands with a kick to the temple. West shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cullens throws a head kick but West moves out of range.
West swinging wildly here.
West fails to land the takedown.
West moves in looking to clinch but Cullens pushes him off.
Common West is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cullens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from West.
West circles away from the clinch attempt.
West leaves Cullens with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tyson Cullens will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! West's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

West swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Cullens counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. West is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Cullens clinches up with West and pushes him back against the cage.
West wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Cullens pulls West into guard.
Cullens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cullens keeping full guard, as West tries to pass.
Cullens controls West momentarily but West frees himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cullens has a closed guard, preventing West from standing up.
West wants to pass the guard but Cullens is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullens controls West momentarily but West frees himself.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tyson Cullens hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Cullens fails to land the takedown.
Cullens shoots in and drives through. West sprawls well.

West moves into the clinch.
Cullens using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cullens jumps guard but West turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Common West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Cullens.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cullens is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but West is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West wants to break the clinch but can't.
West lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cullens backwards.
A short right from West on the inside.
Cullens tries to pull guard but West holds him up against the cage and eventually Cullens drops back down to his feet.
A body shot lands from West.
West lands a hook that snaps the head of Cullens backwards.
Cullens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with West's elbow.
West lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cullens.
West is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from West.
A short right from West.
West stalling against the cage.
West lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cullens misses with the head strike.
West is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
West holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cullens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West is trying to push Cullens away but Cullens has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cullens is trying to work for a single leg takedown but West pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cullens jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as West walks away with a smile on his face. Cullens gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

West has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by West.
Cullens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from West.

Cullens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
West looks to land a combination. Cullens sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

West moves into the clinch successfully.

Cullens manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Common West showed his dominance in that final round.
I think West has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Common West!
Our winner, Common West, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.