PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franco Colombo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes into the arena with Pride Theme blaring out of the sound system. Franco Colombo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Couture
vs
Colombo

182 cm
27
205 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

181 cm
40
201 lbs
20 - 42 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry (93%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fedor Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 42 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franco Colombo!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Colombo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Colombo looks to move away, Couture throws a big counter combo bu Colombo just gets out of the way.
A head kick misses from Colombo.
Couture appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Colombo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Colombo misses with a wild combination.
Colombo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Couture seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Couture clinches with his opponent.
Couture has Colombo pushed against the cage.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Colombo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Couture clinches up with Colombo and pushes him back against the cage.
Colombo tries to land a knee to the head but Couture blocks with his arms.
Colombo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colombo swings wildly with an uppercut but Couture uses good head movement to avoid it.
Colombo wants to stall.
Couture is trying to break the clinch but Colombo has him pressed against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Colombo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Couture's brow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Colombo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Couture has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Couture lands with a right to the head.
Colombo tries a knee to the head but Couture blocks it.
Couture is trying to break free.
Colombo misses with a knee to the head.
Couture is looking to break free of the clinch but Colombo has double underhooks.
Couture lands a nice shot to the body.
Couture avoiding damage.
Couture holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Couture takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Couture tries to land knees in the clinch but Colombo avoids the damage to the body.
Colombo letting Couture take a breather here.
Couture is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Couture gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fedor Couture.
Colombo fails with the takedown
and Couture counters with a three punch combo that has Colombo backing up. Colombo nods at Couture to acknowledge the strikes.
Colombo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.
Couture appears to be looking for a big counter.

Colombo gets tackled into the cage by Couture. Couture maintains the clinch.
Couture displaying some good clinch control by pressing Colombo up against the cage.
Colombo being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture missing with knees to the body.
Colombo has Couture pressed against the cage, preventing Couture from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Good body shot from Couture.
Couture displaying some good clinch control by pressing Colombo up against the cage.
Colombo dodges an elbow strike from Couture.
Couture wants to break the clinch but can't.
Colombo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Colombo keeps control of Couture as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Colombo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Couture avoids a wild elbow strike from Colombo.
Couture just leaning against Colombo, taking a breather.
Couture has Colombo pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Couture's face as he tries to break the clinch.
I was talking to Couture's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Colombo keeps control of Couture as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Couture misses with a punch to the body.
Couture wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Colombo has him pressed against the cage.
Colombo is trying to break the clinch but Couture has him pressed against the cage.
Colombo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Couture wants to break the clinch but can't.
Colombo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Colombo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Couture is trying to break the clinch but Colombo is controlling him.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Colombo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Couture blocks it with crossed arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Colombo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Couture wants to break free but Colombo has control.
Couture stops a takedown attempt from Colombo.
Colombo misses with a knee strike.
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 Fedor Couture will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Colombo misses with a looping left.
Colombo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
Colombo misses with a hook.
Franco Colombo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Colombo. Couture does a little dance to reset his feet.
Colombo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couture sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Couture tries to counter by clinching up but Colombo breaks away and moves out of range.
Colombo throws a head kick but Couture moves out of range.
Colombo tries a head kick but it misses.
Couture is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Colombo.
Colombo swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture slips a jab and a cross from Colombo.
Couture moves forwards but Colombo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Colombo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Colombo misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture stuffs the takedown.
Colombo throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Colombo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Colombo shoots in for a double leg but Couture sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Couture appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Couture clinches up against the cage.
Couture tries to break the clinch but Colombo is controlling the position.
Colombo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Couture is defending well.
Fedor Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Colombo.
A bit of stalling here from Couture.
Couture leaning his opponent against the cage.
Couture seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Colombo letting Couture take a breather here.
Couture wants to break free but Colombo has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colombo pushes off an throws an elbow but Couture leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Couture tries to land a knee to the head but Colombo blocks with his arms.
Colombo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Fedor Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Colombo scores with a head kick. Couture tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Colombo lands a nice shot that snaps Couture's head back.
Colombo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Colombo tries to get set, Couture tries to push him back and clinch up but Colombo manages to avoid the attempt.
Couture uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Colombo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Colombo is defended easily by Couture.
Couture appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Colombo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Couture drives through and clinches with Colombo against the cage.
Colombo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Couture stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Colombo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Couture is trying to break free.
Couture taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Colombo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Couture is defending well.
Colombo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Couture wants to break free but Colombo has control.
Colombo tries to stall but Couture uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Couture breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Couture lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Colombo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Colombo throws a head kick that misses.
Couture misses the shot to the body.

Couture moves into the clinch.
Colombo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Couture holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Couture taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Couture is trying to push Colombo away but Colombo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Couture is stalling here.
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!
Colombo stalling in the clinch but Couture improves position.
Couture throws an elbow but it misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fedor Couture has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Couture lands an elbow just above Colombo 's eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Franco Colombo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Colombo. Those never looked like landing.
Colombo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Couture is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Colombo.

Couture takes the fight into the clinch.
Colombo throws a knee to the head but misses.

Colombo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Colombo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Couture keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Colombo.
Couture blocks a head kick by Colombo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couture moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Colombo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick misses from Colombo.
A punch combination from Colombo misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Colombo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Colombo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Colombo swings widly with a right hand
and Couture counters with a left to the body.
Couture comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Colombo.
Colombo scores with a jab. Couture acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Colombo throws a head kick that misses.
Colombo lands with a kick to the temple. Couture shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Couture clinches with his opponent.
Couture stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Colombo avoids the elbow strike from Couture, against the cage.

Couture breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Colombo as he connects with a hook.
Colombo slips a jab and a cross from Couture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Colombo throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Colombo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Couture circles away.
Colombo missing with a left hand there. Couture was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Couture appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A decent looking cross lands there for Colombo.
Colombo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Couture seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Colombo misses with a head kick.

Couture rushes Colombo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Couture has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Couture tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Couture works on Colombo's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Colombo throws an elbow that misses.
Couture is pushing Colombo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Couture pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Colombo's corner calls for a 1-2. Colombo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Colombo throws a head kick that misses.
Nice straight punches there by Colombo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Colombo.
Colombo misses with a hook.
Couture throws a big counter combination but Colombo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Colombo misses with a wild combination.
Colombo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Couture is able to avoid easily.
Couture swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little jabbing left from Colombo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Colombo throws a lazy head kick

and Couture moves into the clinch.
Couture working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Couture effectively controlling the action here.
Colombo misses with some punches.
Couture digs a right hand underneath Colombo's ribcage. Colombo let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Couture breaks from the clinch.
Couture takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Couture!
The crowd cheers as Couture lands an impressive looking overhand right. Colombo doesn't seem phased though.
Jab by Couture.
Colombo lands a head kick. Couture smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franco Colombo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Colombo 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franco Colombo!