PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Parsley Sherman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Castinolli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sherman
vs
Castinolli

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

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 New York, Parsley Sherman !
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, Hank Castinolli!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sherman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Castinolli but Castinolli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sherman checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sherman takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sherman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Castinolli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sherman lands a nice shot that snaps Castinolli's head back.
Castinolli swats away the attempt to clinch by Sherman .
Sherman moves to clinch but Castinolli breaks away

and Castinolli counters with a single leg into guard. Sherman didn't expect that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sherman working a defensive guard here.
Castinolli really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sherman . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sherman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherman wants to get back to his feet but Castinolli is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sherman keeping moving, preventing Castinolli from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sherman checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sherman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Castinolli throws a hook to the side of Sherman 's head but Sherman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sherman with a poor takedown

and Castinolli counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sherman !
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Parsley Sherman . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Castinolli cracks Sherman with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sherman is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sherman takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castinolli in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sherman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Castinolli lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli trying to control the position but Sherman is working away.
Sherman striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Sherman is trying to buck Castinolli off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castinolli wants to control but Sherman is keeping him busy.
Castinolli scores with punches from side control.
Sherman is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Castinolli asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli lands a decent elbow from side control.
Sherman manages to work his way to half guard, despite Castinolli's best efforts.
Sherman is trying to maintain the position but Castinolli is very close to passing his half guard.
Castinolli is trying to control. Sherman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castinolli seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Castinolli dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Castinolli throws a leg kick but Sherman checks it.
Sherman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Castinolli misses with a body punch
and Sherman counters with a stiff right hand.
Castinolli takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sherman checks a low kick from Castinolli.
Sherman throws a wild body kick that Castinolli sees coming a mile off.
Sherman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Castinolli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Sherman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sherman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Castinolli trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherman wants to control but Castinolli is keeping him busy.
Castinolli won't allow Sherman to pass to mount.
Castinolli is not content to let Sherman control the position.

Parsley Sherman has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sherman darts in looking for a takedown but Castinolli gets double underhooks and turns Sherman into the cage.
Sherman letting Castinolli take a breather here.
Sherman is looking to break free of the clinch but Castinolli has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sherman jumps guard but Castinolli turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Castinolli leaning against his opponent.
Sherman is working for takedown but Castinolli is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Parsley Sherman . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Castinolli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Castinolli leaves Sherman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castinolli connects with a leg kick. Sherman looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Castinolli throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sherman was covering up waiting for the punch and Castinolli finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Castinolli wants to pass the guard but Sherman is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherman keeping moving, preventing Castinolli from controlling successfully.
Castinolli throws a big right hand that misses.
Castinolli working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sherman 's head.
Castinolli throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sherman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sherman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sherman keeping moving, preventing Castinolli from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherman is trying to keep Castinolli in close.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sherman misses with a takedown

and Castinolli counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Castinolli tries to free his leg and advance position but Sherman is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castinolli scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Castinolli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sherman shoots for a double leg takedown but Castinolli sprawls well. He's pushed Sherman 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sherman misses with a takedown

and Castinolli counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Castinolli lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sherman wants to sweep but no luck.
Castinolli trying to control the position from guard on top but Sherman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sherman keeping full guard, as Castinolli tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sherman trying to control the position.

Hank Castinolli has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sherman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Parsley Sherman . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castinolli takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice defenses there by Sherman .
Sherman with a poor takedown

and Castinolli counters with a shoot takedown. Sherman fights it but they end up in guard.
Castinolli stands up over Sherman , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castinolli lands a couple of elbows.
Hank Castinolli is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli trying to control but Sherman is working from the bottom.
Castinolli slips nicely into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sherman is trying to get back to full guard.
Castinolli wants to take a breather but Sherman is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Hank Castinolli has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sherman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sherman misses with a takedown

and Castinolli counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sherman 's guard now.
Sherman keeping full guard, as Castinolli tries to pass.
Castinolli trying to control but Sherman is working from the bottom.
Castinolli looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castinolli trying to control but Sherman is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hank Castinolli wasn't active enough on the ground.
Castinolli throws a quick inside leg kick.
Castinolli wants to land a leg kick but Sherman is out of range.
Sherman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Sherman tries to sprawl but Castinolli drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castinolli wants to take a breather but Sherman is having none of it.
Parsley Sherman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Castinolli is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hank Castinolli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Castinolli 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hank Castinolli!