PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jukebox Timebmb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianpaolo Volpicelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Timebmb comes to the cage accompanied by Move On Up. Jukebox Timebmb has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Timebmb
vs
Volpicelli

170 cm
31
191 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

187 cm
28
197 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jukebox Timebmb!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Timebmb bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Volpicelli takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Timebmb fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Timebmb clinches up with Volpicelli and pushes him back against the cage.
Volpicelli misses with some punches.

Timebmb jumps guard and drags Volpicelli to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Timebmb looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Timebmb is trying to control the position but Volpicelli postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volpicelli tries to free his leg and advance position but Timebmb is retaining full guard.
Timebmb looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Volpicelli trying to control the position from guard on top but Timebmb is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Volpicelli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Timebmb is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volpicelli postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Timebmb is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Volpicelli, into his guard.

Timebmb won't allow Volpicelli to get back to his feet.
Timebmb trying to control but Volpicelli is working from the bottom.
Timebmb scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Volpicelli looking to control.
Timebmb trying to control but Volpicelli is working from the bottom.
Timebmb preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Timebmb advances to half guard.

Timebmb is working for a kimura here but Volpicelli manages to reverse the position and he's now in Timebmb's guard.
Timebmb has his hands on Volpicelli's head, controlling the position.
Volpicelli trying to control but Timebmb is working from the bottom.
Volpicelli passes Timebmb's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Timebmb is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Timebmb does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Timebmb looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Volpicelli is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Volpicelli is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Timebmb doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Volpicelli.
Timebmb works his way to full guard. Good work.
Timebmb lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli wants to sweep but no luck.
Timebmb is looking to work some ground and pound but Volpicelli has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volpicelli wants to stand up but Timebmb is controlling him.
Volpicelli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Timebmb wants to pass the guard but Volpicelli is keeping the position.
Timebmb pushing down on Volpicelli's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Timebmb stops Volpicelli from getting back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Timebmb not doing much here.
Timebmb trying to pass the guard but Volpicelli defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jukebox Timebmb dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Timebmb fails with the takedown
and Volpicelli counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Timebmb is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volpicelli can do to turn this around?
Timebmb tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Volpicelli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Timebmb wants to clinch up but Volpicelli keeps it at a distance.
A good leg kick by Volpicelli.
Jukebox Timebmb seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Timebmb takes a swing at Volpicelli's ribcage but misses.
Timebmb takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Timebmb misses the shot to the body.
Volpicelli doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Timebmb moves into the clinch.

Timebmb manages to break the clinch.

Timebmb darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Volpicelli pushes Timebmb off looking to stand but Timebmb dives back in and keeps control.
Volpicelli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Volpicelli is staying active underneath Timebmb, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timebmb throwing shots but Volpicelli is blocking nicely.
Timebmb is looking to pass Volpicelli's guard but actually Volpicelli recovers to full guard.
Timebmb advances to half guard.
Volpicelli controlling the position for now.

Timebmb is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Volpicelli is just riding it out for now. Timebmb eventually gives up the hold.
Timebmb is pressing down on Volpicelli's thigh, looking to free his foot. Volpicelli is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Timebmb is thwarting Volpicelli's attempts to control the position.
Timebmb trying to control from half guard but Volpicelli is working away.
Volpicelli preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Timebmb sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Volpicelli defending well though.
Volpicelli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Timebmb.
Timebmb controlling the action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Timebmb wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volpicelli keeps working.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli lands with a right hand.

It looks like Jukebox Timebmb has been cut.
Timebmb throws a right hand that misses
and Volpicelli counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Timebmb tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Volpicelli counters with a nice double leg into side control. Timebmb won't be happy with that.
Timebmb is not content to let Volpicelli control the position.
Timebmb struggling a bit here.
Timebmb regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli prevents Timebmb from improving his position.
Timebmb keeping control of the position.

Timebmb is defending against the submission attempts here by Volpicelli.
Timebmb is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Volpicelli is working for a kimura but Timebmb is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gianpaolo Volpicelli will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jukebox Timebmb's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Volpicelli misses with an uppercut. Timebmb saw that one coming.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Timebmb.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Volpicelli! But no joy.

Volpicelli tries to sprawl but Timebmb drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Volpicelli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Timebmb.
Timebmb is thwarting Volpicelli's attempts to control the position.

Volpicelli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Volpicelli trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timebmb stalling.
Timebmb stops Volpicelli from getting back to his feet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Volpicelli has his hands clasped together around Timebmb's back. He's all about the action.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Timebmb fails to land the takedown.

Timebmb feints and as Volpicelli raises his hands in defense, Timebmb changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Timebmb trying to control the position from guard on top but Volpicelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Timebmb wants to stand but Volpicelli has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Timebmb trying to control but Volpicelli is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Timebmb slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Volpicelli is pulling down on Timebmb's head to control his posture.
Timebmb loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Timebmb trying to control the position from guard on top but Volpicelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Volpicelli wants to stand up but Timebmb is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Timebmb looks to land a left hand but Volpicelli moved out of range nicely.
Volpicelli tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Volpicelli throws a nice inside leg kick.
Timebmb misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timebmb works Volpicelli's body with a nice hook.
Volpicelli darts in looking for a takedown but Timebmb gets double underhooks and turns Volpicelli into the cage.
Timebmb keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Volpicelli.
Nice takedown defense from Volpicelli. No joy for Timebmb on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukebox Timebmb. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Timebmb with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Timebmb takes a swing at Volpicelli's ribcage but misses.
Timebmb takes a jab right on the kisser.
Volpicelli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Volpicelli connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Volpicelli fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Volpicelli lands a head shot.
Timebmb fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Timebmb fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Volpicelli avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Timebmb wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Timebmb connects with a good right hand that stumbles Volpicelli. Volpicelli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Volpicelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Volpicelli is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Timebmb tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Volpicelli drops his hands momentarily and Timebmb takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Volpicelli scores with a head kick.
Timebmb tries to clinch but Volpicelli is having none of it.
Volpicelli tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Timebmb tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Timebmb darts in trying to clinch
and Volpicelli counters with a nice body shot.
Volpicelli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jukebox Timebmb did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Jukebox Timebmb's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Timebmb misses with a takedown
and Timebmb takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Volpicelli connects with a nice looking jab.
Timebmb misses with an uppercut.
Timebmb avoids the body shot from Volpicelli.
Timebmb tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Volpicelli manages to circle out of the way.
Timebmb tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Timebmb darts in looking for a takedown but Volpicelli gets double underhooks and turns Timebmb into the cage.
Volpicelli has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Volpicelli tries to score with a low kick but Timebmb moves his leg out of the way.
Timebmb darts in trying to clinch
and Volpicelli counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Volpicelli tenderised Timebmb's leg. Timebmb is trying to keep his angry face on.
Timebmb shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukebox Timebmb. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Timebmb tries to close the distance and clinch up but Volpicelli swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Volpicelli throws a leg kick but Timebmb moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volpicelli stuffs the takedown.
Volpicelli stuffs the takedown.
Timebmb is looking to clinch but Volpicelli is avoiding it.
Volpicelli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Volpicelli cracks Timebmb with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Volpicelli knocks Timebmb to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Timebmb is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volpicelli passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Timebmb!
Oh Timebmb is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Volpicelli jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Timebmb is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Timebmb and Volpicelli has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Volpicelli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volpicelli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Timebmb seems to have got his legs back now.
Timebmb is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Volpicelli off and has taken his back!
Volpicelli staying busy and making it hard for Timebmb to control.

Timebmb is persistently looking for the submission but Volpicelli is defending it well.
Volpicelli looking very determined here, making life difficult for Timebmb.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli is trying to break free.
Timebmb connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Volpicelli to escape the position.
Timebmb biding his time, controlling Volpicelli.
Volpicelli wants to control his opponent's hands but Timebmb gets his hands free.
Volpicelli avoids the strikes from Timebmb.

Timebmb is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Volpicelli defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Volpicelli is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Timebmb doesn't have the hooks in and Volpicelli manages to turn into his guard.
Volpicelli preventing the sweep.
Timebmb working a defensive guard here.
Timebmb keeping moving, preventing Volpicelli from controlling successfully.
Timebmb can't keep his opponent in guard - Volpicelli advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Volpicelli dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jukebox Timebmb's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Volpicelli as Timebmb shoots in.
Timebmb wants to clinch
and Volpicelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Timebmb tries to clinch there but Volpicelli circles away.
Timebmb tries to clinch up
and Volpicelli counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A head kick misses from Timebmb.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Volpicelli connects with a body shot.
Volpicelli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Timebmb fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Timebmb tries for a takedown but Volpicelli circles away easily
and Volpicelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Volpicelli checks a leg kick.
Volpicelli with the counter takedown but Timebmb avoids it easily.
Timebmb rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Volpicelli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timebmb misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Volpicelli.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Timebmb is defended easily by Volpicelli.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukebox Timebmb. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Volpicelli misses with the combination.
Timebmb tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Volpicelli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Timebmb avoids the body shot from Volpicelli.

Timebmb looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Timebmb is looking to take a break and control but Volpicelli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Volpicelli manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Volpicelli is looking to stand up but Timebmb isn't so interested in that idea.
Volpicelli can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Timebmb controls the pace.
Volpicelli controls Timebmb momentarily but Timebmb frees himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Timebmb accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Timebmb postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Volpicelli keeping moving, preventing Timebmb from controlling successfully.
Timebmb throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volpicelli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jukebox Timebmb has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timebmb throws a jab when Volpicelli was well out of range.
Timebmb misses with a takedown attempt
and Volpicelli counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Timebmb closes this distance looking for a takedown but Volpicelli circles away.
Volpicelli feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Timebmb's calf.
Volpicelli misses the shot to the body.
As Volpicelli backs away, Timebmb returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Timebmb throws a head kick that half lands.
Timebmb shoots in and drives through. Volpicelli sprawls well.
Timebmb throws a leg kick
and Volpicelli counters with a right hand to the body.
Volpicelli scores with a crisp jab that stopped Timebmb in his tracks.
Timebmb with a lazy takedown attempt
and Volpicelli counters with a nice body shot.
Volpicelli cracks a nice hook into Timebmb's ribs.
Timebmb has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Volpicelli finds it's way round the side to connect with Timebmb's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volpicelli moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Timebmb walks into a straight right hand from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Volpicelli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Timebmb is trying hard to land a takedown here. Volpicelli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Volpicelli.
Volpicelli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Timebmb.
Timebmb shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Volpicelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Timebmb takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Volpicelli lunges at Timebmb with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Timebmb's hand.
Timebmb tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Timebmb defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Volpicelli.
Timebmb waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Volpicelli.
Timebmb throws a head kick that misses
and Volpicelli counters with a leg kick.
Timebmb tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Volpicelli counters with a three punch combo that has Timebmb backing up. Timebmb nods at Volpicelli to acknowledge the strikes.
Volpicelli connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianpaolo Volpicelli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Volpicelli 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Gianpaolo Volpicelli!

Gianpaolo Volpicelli wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Gianpaolo Volpicelli thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.