PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cornell Odonnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Polly Italiano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cornell Odonnell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Odonnell
vs
Italiano

177 cm
19
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cornell Odonnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Polly Italiano!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Odonnell clinches up with Italiano and pushes him back against the cage.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Italiano looks winded!
Odonnell wants to break free but Italiano has control.
Italiano tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Odonnell jumps into guard, dragging Italiano to the mat.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Odonnell controlling Italiano's posture.
Odonnell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Odonnell working for a triangle but Italiano defends it easily.
Odonnell has a closed guard, preventing Italiano from standing up.
Odonnell is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Odonnell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Italiano being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Odonnell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Odonnell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Italiano wanted to stand there but Odonnell had control of the position.
Odonnell is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Cornell Odonnell just wasn't active enough.
Odonnell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Italiano avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Italiano forces Odonnell back against the cage and clinches.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano tries a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks it.

Odonnell has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Italiano uses from the top position.
Odonnell has his hands on Italiano's head, controlling the position.
Italiano preventing the sweep.
Odonnell looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cornell Odonnell wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Odonnell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Italiano but Italiano pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Italiano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Odonnell.

Italiano clinches up with Odonnell and pushes him back against the cage.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Italiano misses with a knee strike.
Odonnell is working for takedown but Italiano is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cornell Odonnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Odonnell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Italiano walks away with a smile on his face. Odonnell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Italiano moves into the clinch.
Odonnell is looking to take this one to the mat.
Odonnell is trying to drag Italiano to the mat but Italiano just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.

Odonnell drags the fight down to the ground.
Odonnell pulls Italiano in close to prevent any damage.
Odonnell wants to get back to his feet but Italiano is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Odonnell is working an open guard so Italiano takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Odonnell moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Italiano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Odonnell is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cornell Odonnell dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Italiano clinches up against the cage.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Italiano with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but Italiano won't allow it.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Italiano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Odonnell jumps guard but Italiano stands there with Odonnell around his waist. Odonnell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cornell Odonnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Odonnell looking for a takedown.
Odonnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Italiano is pressed up against the cage. Odonnell has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Italiano down to the mat. Italiano avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Italiano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Odonnell.

Odonnell gets tackled into the cage by Italiano. Italiano maintains the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Odonnell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Italiano walks away with a smile on his face. Odonnell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Italiano rushes Odonnell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.
Odonnell is trying to pull guard but Italiano turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Odonnell is trying to pull guard but Italiano has him pressed against the cage.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Odonnell goes for a takedown in the clinch but Italiano prevents it.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.
Italiano gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Odonnell.
Odonnell jumps guard but Italiano turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Italiano tries to land a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks with his arms.
Odonnell is looking to take this one to the mat.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Italiano prevents a takedown attempt there.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.

Odonnell breaks from the clinch.

Odonnell pushes Italiano up against the cage in a clinch.
Italiano tries a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks it.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.
Italiano tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Italiano smiles and moves away.

Italiano moves into the clinch.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but Italiano won't allow it.
Italiano tries to land a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks with his arms.
Odonnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Italiano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Odonnell blocks it with crossed arms.

Odonnell turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Odonnell tries for a kimura but Italiano is defending well.
Italiano wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Odonnell is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Italiano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Italiano wants to get back to his feet but Odonnell drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Odonnell stands up and beckons Italiano to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Italiano has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Polly Italiano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Odonnell misses with a hook. Italiano ducked under it nicely.

Odonnell has managed to clinch.
Odonnell can't get the takedown.
Italiano should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Odonnell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Italiano smiles and moves away.

Italiano instigates a clinch.
Odonnell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Odonnell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Italiano smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cornell Odonnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Italiano darts in and clinches Odonnell up against the cage.
Italiano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odonnell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Italiano walks away with a smile on his face. Odonnell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Italiano closes the distance and clinches.
Italiano has Odonnell pressed against the cage, preventing Odonnell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Odonnell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Italiano to keep the fight standing.
Odonnell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Italiano is pressed up against the cage. Odonnell has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Italiano down to the mat. Italiano avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Italiano avoids a kick to the body.
Odonnell looks to land a right hand but Italiano moved out of range.
Odonnell thows a body shot but no joy.

Italiano clinches up against the cage.
Polly Italiano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Italiano with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell jumps guard but Italiano stands there with Odonnell around his waist. Odonnell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Odonnell has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Italiano after a bit of a struggle.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.
Odonnell is trying to pull guard but Italiano has him pressed against the cage.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Odonnell is looking to take this one to the mat.
Odonnell jumps guard but Italiano turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell wants to take the fight to the mat but Italiano manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano misses with a knee to the head.
Italiano tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Italiano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Odonnell blocks it with crossed arms.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but Italiano won't allow it.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Odonnell wants a takedown but no success here.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Italiano looking to throw knees to the head but Odonnell is blocking nicely.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but Italiano forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Italiano tries a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Italiano using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Odonnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Italiano tries to land a knee to the head but Odonnell blocks with his arms.
Italiano stops a takedown attempt from Odonnell.
Italiano throws a knee to the head but misses.
Italiano misses with a knee strike.
Italiano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Italiano is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Italiano tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Italiano with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Odonnell is trying to pull guard but Italiano has him pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Italiano.

Odonnell manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Polly Italiano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Italiano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Polly Italiano!