PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Pistone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Sterrey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pistone's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bonobo - The Sicilians. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pistone
vs
Sterrey

183 cm
25
180 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
180 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Pistone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominic Sterrey!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pistone takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sterrey has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Pistone is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Pistone wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pistone misses with a hook.
Sterrey throws a right hand that misses

so Pistone counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sterrey is controlling Pistone's posture.
Sterrey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pistone's guard.

Pistone is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pistone wants to sweep but no luck.
Pistone controlling the position.
Pistone looking for a sweep. Not yet Pistone, not yet.
Sterrey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sterrey preventing the sweep.
Pistone is trying to keep Sterrey in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pistone is really struggling to control Sterrey but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sterrey throws a big right hand that misses.
Sterrey trying to control but Pistone is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sterrey shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pistone but Pistone pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sterrey shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pistone as he avoids it easily.
Pistone has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hunter's hideout in the buildup to the fight.
Pistone on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pistone drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sterrey thows a body shot but no joy.
Sterrey works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterrey misses with a wild body shot.
Pistone lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pistone throws a good cross that connects.
Sterrey misses with a takedown attempt

and Pistone counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pistone.
Joe Pistone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominic Sterrey.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pistone forces his way into half guard.

Sterrey looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sterrey is controlling Pistone's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Pistone works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sterrey is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sterrey tries to lock up and control but Pistone gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pistone has control of Sterrey's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Sterrey regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Pistone looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pistone takes Sterrey's back.

Pistone working for the choke.
Pistone not allowing Sterrey to control his hands.

Pistone is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Sterrey defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterrey trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Pistone is hanging on to Sterrey's back as he tries to escape.
Sterrey manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pistone's guard. Nice work there by Sterrey.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sterrey distracts Pistone with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sterrey preventing the sweep.
Sterrey connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sterrey preventing the sweep.
Sterrey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sterrey drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sterrey jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sterrey looking to sit in guard and control but Pistone gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Pistone dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pistone misses with a leg kick.

Pistone clinches.
Sterrey lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sterrey lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sterrey drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Pistone obliges.
Sterrey tries to pull guard but Pistone forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pistone creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sterrey wants to get back to striking at distance but Pistone won't allow it.
Pistone is working Sterrey over against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sterrey turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Pistone manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Pistone wants to control but Sterrey is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pistone is looking for a sweep. Sterrey is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sterrey performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Pistone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pistone is working hard here to advance position.
Sterrey seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pistone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pistone is trying to get back to full guard.
Pistone wants to control but Sterrey is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Pistone looking for submissions off his back.
Sterrey with the ground and pound but Pistone uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pistone wants to sweep but no luck.
Sterrey is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pistone looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sterrey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sterrey postures up in Pistone's guard and throws a big left but Pistone blocks it.
Sterrey stopping the sweep attempt from Pistone.

Pistone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterrey pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pistone is keeping the position for now.
Pistone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sterrey trying to control the position from guard on top but Pistone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sterrey throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pistone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sterrey throws a big right hand that misses.

Pistone has his foot on Sterrey's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sterrey works his way back into a safe position though.
Pistone trying to control the position.
Sterrey stopping the sweep attempt from Pistone.
Sterrey passes Pistone's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterrey working Pistone over with strikes.
Sterrey prevents Pistone from improving his position.
Pistone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pistone.
Pistone keeping moving, preventing Sterrey from controlling successfully.
Pistone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sterrey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sterrey is looking to work some ground and pound but Pistone has wrist control.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pistone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sterrey can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pistone looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joe Pistone will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sterrey scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pistone doesn't seem bothered though.
Pistone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sterrey moves away.
Pistone looks to land a body kick but Sterrey moved away.
Sterrey misses with a right hand

and Pistone counters with a shoot takedown. Sterrey fights it but they end up in guard.
Sterrey pulls Pistone in close to prevent any damage.
Pistone tries to free his leg and advance position but Sterrey is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sterrey wants to sweep but no luck.
Sterrey is still trying to improve position.
Pistone advances to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sterrey is looking to improve his position.
Sterrey keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pistone seems to be looking for submissions.
Pistone is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sterrey!

Pistone goes for an armbar but Sterrey turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sterrey.
Sterrey wants to control from the top but Pistone keeps moving.

Sterrey drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sterrey jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pistone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sterrey manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pistone won't allow Sterrey to sweep him here.
Pistone pushes down on Sterrey's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sterrey gets full guard.
Pistone passes Sterrey's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sterrey is looking to improve his position.
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!
Sterrey has his hands clasped together around Pistone's back. He's all about the action.
Sterrey has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sterrey is trying to get back to full guard.

Pistone is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sterrey doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pistone.
Joe Pistone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterrey is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sterrey has his hands clasped together around Pistone's back. He's all about the action.
Pistone is thwarting Sterrey's attempts to control the position.
Sterrey is not content to let Pistone control the position.

Pistone is looking for a kimura here.
Sterrey tries to roll over but Pistone keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sterrey manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sterrey looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pistone stays in close to Sterrey's body and controls the position.

Pistone thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pistone trying to control the position from guard on top but Sterrey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sterrey is on top in guard.
Dominic Sterrey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sterrey wants to pass the guard but Pistone is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joe Pistone.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pistone, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Joe Pistone!
A very excited looking Joe Pistone rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.