PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Osvaldo Rios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Otoole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Rios
vs
Otoole

174 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
130 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Osvaldo Rios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mickey Otoole!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rios tries a head kick but it misses.
Rios keeps the fight on the outside.

Otoole clinches.
Rios missing with knees to the body.
Otoole tries a knee to the head but Rios blocks it.
Rios is trying to break the clinch but Otoole has him pressed against the cage.
Otoole lands with a short shot to the head.
Rios misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Otoole.
Otoole misses with a knee to the head.
Rios is looking for a takedown.
Otoole misses with a knee to the head.
Otoole displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rios up against the cage.
Otoole lands a knee to the body.
Otoole misses with an elbow strike.
Otoole landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Otoole lands an elbow inside.
Rios is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Otoole pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otoole lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Otoole lands an elbow just above Rios 's eye.
Otoole with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've been informed that Otoole has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Otoole is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rios on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rios fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvaldo Rios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otoole gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Otoole to work.
Rios blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Otoole is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rios is trying to force a seperation but Otoole has the dominant position.
Otoole missing with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rios blocks the elbow strike.
Otoole lands an elbow that stopped Rios in his tracks for a moment.
Rios wants to get back to striking at distance but Otoole won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otoole trying to land knees to the body.
Rios can't break the clinch.
Otoole lands an elbow that stopped Rios in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Otoole.
Otoole misses with an elbow strike.
Otoole scores with a shot to the side of Rios's head.
Otoole stalling in the clinch.
Otoole trying to land knees to the body.
Rios is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rios changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Otoole fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rios looks for a takedown but Otoole sprawls well.
Otoole misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Otoole takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otoole creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rios's defenses.
Otoole lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rios is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nice body punch from Otoole - that landed with a thud.
Rios doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice elbow from Otoole.
A short right from Otoole on the inside.
Rios looking to stall.
Otoole lands a damaging elbow.
Otoole prevents a takedown attempt there.
Otoole landing knees to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Otoole - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Otoole makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otoole tries a knee to the head but Rios blocks it.
Rios managing to block the knees to the body from Otoole.
Otoole lands a good knee to the midsection. Rios won't want to take too many of those.
Otoole throws an elbow but it misses.
Rios misses with a body punch.
Rios misses with a hook from the clinch.
Otoole creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rios definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Otoole lands an elbow just above Rios 's eye.
Rios managing to block the knees to the body from Otoole.
Otoole landing knees to the head.
Otoole creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rios is trying to pull guard but Otoole has him pressed against the cage.
Rios tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A frustrated look appears on Rios's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but Rios blocks with his arms.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rios is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Otoole is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Otoole dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Otoole tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rios manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Otoole swings for the body but Rios moves out of range.

Rios has closed the distance and engaged Otoole in a clinch.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rios avoids it.
Otoole connects with a knee to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Otoole is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rios is defending well for now.
Rios is trying to break the clinch but Otoole is controlling him.
Otoole tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Otoole scores with a knee to the head.
Otoole putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rios in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rios goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Otoole lands a good knee to the midsection. Rios won't want to take too many of those.
Otoole tries a knee to the head but Rios blocks it.
Otoole utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but Rios blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otoole putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rios in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Otoole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rios has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Otoole is breathing heavily.
Rios avoiding damage as Otoole throws knees to the body.
Rios blocks an elbow strike.
Otoole throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rios has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Otoole after a bit of a struggle.
Rios wants a takedown but no success here.
Otoole unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Otoole throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Otoole is stalling here.
Rios stalling in the clinch but Otoole improves position.
Otoole lands a good knee to the midsection. Rios won't want to take too many of those.
Otoole gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rios.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvaldo Rios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otoole connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Otoole as Rios tries to tie him up.
Rios is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mickey Otoole seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rios wants to stall.
Otoole lands an elbow that stopped Rios in his tracks for a moment.
Otoole scores a nice knee to the body.
Rios tries to circle away but Otoole has him pinned against the cage.
Otoole looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rios blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Otoole gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rios.
Rios blocks an elbow strike from Otoole.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios is trying to pull guard but Otoole has him pressed against the cage.
Otoole throws an elbow that misses.
Rios has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Otoole avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Otoole with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Otoole stalling against the cage.
Rios blocks an elbow strike.
Rios takes an elbow to the temple.
Rios trying to stall but Otoole improves his position.
Rios avoids the elbow strike from Otoole, against the cage.
Otoole using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Otoole connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rios's face.
Rios has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Otoole lands a knee to the body.
Rios blocks an elbow strike.
Otoole utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rios misses with a body punch.
Knees to the body from Otoole.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rios avoids it.
Otoole throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rios blocks it with crossed arms.
Otoole connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rios's face.
Otoole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rios avoids it.
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!
Rios wants a takedown.
Otoole lands an elbow inside that Rios shrugs off.
Rios changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Otoole fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Otoole goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otoole tries to clinch up but Rios circles away and keeps his distance.
Rios shoots in for a double leg but Otoole sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Otoole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Otoole tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rios swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Otoole closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Otoole lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Otoole with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Otoole lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Otoole.
Otoole prevents Rios from breaking the clinch.
Otoole displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rios up against the cage.
Otoole pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rios is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Otoole to keep the fight standing.
Rios blocks an elbow strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Otoole obliges.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Otoole.
Rios blocks a body shot from Otoole.
Rios has Otoole pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Otoole manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Otoole just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvaldo Rios. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otoole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rios has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rios is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Otoole pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Otoole utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Otoole trying to land knees to the body.
Otoole takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Otoole working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Rios pulls guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Rios is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Otoole is aware though and is defending well.
Otoole is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rios keeping moving, preventing Otoole from controlling successfully.
Otoole postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios wants to stand but Otoole is controlling the position.
Rios trying to control the position.
Otoole trying to control the position from guard on top but Rios is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Osvaldo Rios.
Otoole avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rios shoots in for a takedown but Otoole shows good takedown defense.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rios doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Otoole counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Otoole.
Otoole lands a damaging elbow.
Otoole has Rios pressed against the cage.
Rios is trying to pull guard but Otoole turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otoole prevents a takedown attempt there.
Otoole lands a good knee to the midsection. Rios won't want to take too many of those.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Otoole just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rios's brow.
Otoole putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rios in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Otoole is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Otoole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mickey Otoole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Knees in the clinch landing for Otoole.
Otoole is pressed up against the cage. Rios has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Otoole down to the mat. Otoole avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Otoole is looking to clinch.
Rios with a poor takedown
and Otoole counters with a head kick.
Otoole tries to close the distance and clinch but Rios swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Otoole pushes Rios up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rios takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rios fails to pull guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Otoole lands an elbow just above Rios 's eye.
Rios tries to pull guard but Otoole holds him up against the cage and eventually Rios drops back down to his feet.
Otoole prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otoole creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rios's defenses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Otoole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Otoole winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey Otoole!
Mickey Otoole seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.